The Armoire de Marriage

Miguel Meirelles has over 25 years' experience working with antique furniture. When asked about the current popularity of armoires and antique wardrobes, he explains the history and purpose of these hugely popular items.

The origin of the armoire goes back in time further than one would think. The ancient Romans called a cupboard where armour such as breastplates, shields, helmets and swords were kept securely by the Latin word armarium. The armoire developed as a logical step, in terms of storage capacity, from the more humble coffer. Possibly the very first formal piece of furniture ever made, coffers were safe storage places that could be transported easily. They could be sat on, served as a table and when several coffers were put together, they formed a bed for their owner. No one, it was thought, could attempt to steal things while the owner was asleep on top of them.

Far from its bellicose origins, the more genteel armoire rapidly became the principal piece of furniture in a home. It was designed to contain the precious household linens, glassware and crockery, and as an expensive piece of furniture, it was generally decorated for effect. It had an imposing presence, and was designed to make a statement in the room where the guests were entertained.

Depending on the historical period and the geographical area of Europe where it was made, an armoire may be brightly painted, richly carved, studded with brass or steel nail heads – or quite restrained and simply decorated with shaped mouldings. Considering that most of the materials used in furniture construction were often more costly than the labour involved, armoires were almost always made of timbers found nearby. A southern French-Provencale piece, for example, would most likely have been made out of walnut or fruitwood while painted pine features in most built in eastern France. Further north in France, oak and elm were the preferred local timbers.

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