Antique Venetian Italian Grotto Piano Stool Carved Gold Gilt Shell Rocaille Seat

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About the Item

An antique late 19th or early 20th century Ventian Italian grotto style carved and gilt and polychromed shell stool. This piano stool, or a stand alone stool as a piece of furniture in your home, exhibits beautiful character and wear. The red bole clay shows through on the seat where the gold gilt has worn through thanks to well over one hundred years of use and enjoyment. The shell swivel seat sits atop cabriole style legs and bun feet reminiscent of animal paws. The feet are joined by a stretcher. You may be asking "Where did the name Grotto Furniture' originate?". Funny thing is, I was asking myself the very same question. Turns out the the English nobility of the 18th and 19th centuries were quite fond of shell encrusted pavilions and grottos on their grounds. So naturally, the nobility of the time had them built. And once you have a shell encrusted pavilion or grotto, clearly you must have shell furniture to accompany it. And so the style of Grotto Furniture was begun. I researched further and found, "Furniture makers in Venice were very prolific in their seating designs and were particularly known for chairs that had nautical themes. Shells, coral, dolphins and seahorses were often sculpted into chairs that took inspiration from the designs of Venetian grottoes. The Italian grotto style peaked during the nineteenth century, and furniture was created to reflect this passion for nautical themes. From the mid to late nineteenth century, furniture makers in Venice fashioned furniture based on the feel of the grotto, creating an eclectic mix of Renaissance and Rococo inspired sculpted imagery. The nineteenth century Venetian grotto furniture was aimed to be sold to visitors on their European tour. The Venetian grotto stool incorporates ideas of the Rococo period as well as nautical themes that were popular during the nineteenth century, creating a stool that is captivating as well as beautifully detailed."

Dimensions:
Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 15 in (38.1 cm)Depth: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
Style:
Rococo (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Giltwood,Wood,Carved,Gilt,Hand-Carved,Polychromed
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1900
Condition:
Repaired: There is an historic repair to the stretcher underneath. Wear consistent with age and use. In fair antique condition with age appropriate wear. Repaired break to the stretcher. Gold gilt surface is worn. Beautifully patinated if you ask me.
Seller Location:
Atlanta, GA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU7240236091342

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