Encoignure

Encoignure cupboards at Versaille

Encoignure is a type of furniture located in a corner of a room. In French, it literally means the angle, or return, formed by the junction of two walls. Since the 20th century, the word is chiefly used to designate a small armoire, commode, cabinet or cupboard made to fit a corner. A chair placed in a corner is referred to as a chaise encoignure.

Originally the object comes from France, hence the name, famous pieces by Louis Quinze or Louis Seize in lacquer or in mahogany, elaborately mounted in gilded bronze, are delightfully alluring pieces from the period of grand French furniture. It was made in a vast variety of forms but is strictly limited by its destination. As a rule these delicate and dainty pieces were in pairs and placed in opposite angles; frequently the tops were finished in expensive colored marble.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Corner cupboards.

Look up encoignure in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

•  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Encoignure". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.