This creole Louisiana armoire was made in New Orleans at the turn of the 19th century. It is attributed to Celestine Glapion, pere, a free black cabinetmaker. Born into slavery in St. Charles Parish, Glapion was emancipated by his white father when he was a young child. Glapion moved to New Orleans where he was at the center of a community of free craftspeople of color. He likely learned his trade from a French-trained cabinetmaker, as seen in the cabriole legs and recessed panels of this armoire. He also benefitted from the plentiful Caribbean trade in New Orleans, using choice mahogany wood in his craftsmanship.