This is an exquisite and rare carved, engraved red lacquered wooden étagère and porcelain holder, with gilded details. Shaped with architectural prospects, with shelves and degrading steps. From the upper balustrade rises the cymatium shaped as volutes and entirely perforated and gilded.
It is possible to count 17 pedestals or spaces suitable to set porcelain pieces.
A gorgeous piece that we can say one-of-a-kind, that showcases a fine craftsmanship through meticulously carved architectural elements, and with the rare and rich red color of the lacquer.
Coming out from the Tullio Silva Collection, Venezia, Italy.
One of the distinctive characteristics of Venetian Baroque and Rococo furniture is the skilful use of lacquers. Lacquer is a natural resin that was very rare in the past, imported from the East and used to create smooth and colored surfaces on furniture, ready to be finely decorated with refined floral designs or exotic animals.
Venetian artisans became masters in lacquer processing which required time and patience because it was made with many steps.
The Venetian style deeply influenced furniture design throughout Europe, but none reached the Venetian level in terms of beauty. The skillful use of lacquer and carvings defined Venice's unique style during the Rococo period, its Golden Age.
Referring bibliography:
G.Morazzoni, Il mobile Veneziano del Settecento, Milano 1958, vol. I, tavv. CCXIII-CCXIV
S.Levy, Lacche Veneziane settecentesche, Milano 1967, vol. II, tavv. 412-413
C. Santini, Mille mobili veneti, Modena 2002, pag. 284, fig. 495
Tullio Silva, son of Enrico Silva that was a well known antique dealer in Venice, opened his own antique furniture Gallery...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Furniture