Bidspirit auction | A Louis XIII Style Oak

A Louis XIII Style Oak Bench (Banc), Dite 'Vaux,' - A Louis XIII Style Oak Bench (Banc), Dite 'Vaux,' This brand new Louis XIII Style Oak bench (banc), Dite 'Vaux,' is a handsome and robust revival of one of France's earliest classical furniture styles, masterfully produced by the prestigious French institution Ateliers Allot. The term ”Dite Vaux” identifies this piece as a specific model name within the workshop's catalog that pays homage to the architectural grandeur of the mid-17th century, specifically evoking the transition toward the style found at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Executed in the early Baroque Louis XIII style, which emphasizes strength and geometric form, the bench is constructed of solid oak and features four curved legs dramatically characterized by an elaborate, low-sitting X-shaped stretcher that connects the base with sweeping scrollwork. For superior durability and comfort, the rectangular seat is traditionally built using leaf fibre trimming on helical springs and is upholstered in a rich Soierie fabric featuring an elaborate acanthus and floral motif. This piece represents the pinnacle of French decorative arts from an ”Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (EPV) that has integrated eight foundational trades—including cabinetmaking, upholstery, and woodcarving—across eight generations of family expertise since 1812.. Ateliers Allot is a prestigious French family institution established in 1812 and headquartered on Rue de Vaugirard with showrooms in Paris, renowned for its mastery of traditional cabinetmaking and the rare ”Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (EPV) label. Spanning eight generations of expertise, the firm seamlessly integrates the eight foundational trades of fine furniture—including cabinetmaking, woodcarving, marquetry, and gilding—to produce and restore exquisite hand made pieces ranging from the Louis XIV era to contemporary bespoke designs entirely in-house, they offer an unparalleled level of historical authenticity, serving as a global benchmark for French decorative arts and ”art de vivre” [LOC 689]