18th Century and Earlier Decorative Art

Important portrait of nobleman in parade dress taken in three-quarter view with flower in hand from the late 1600s. Work attributable in quality, age, and style to the great Genoese-born portraitist Giovanni Maria delle Piane known as “Il Mulinaretto”. The flower in the hand, is surely an allegorical allusion; it could be a portrait of a nobleman about to be married offered as a wedding gift to the bride's family. Technique oil on canvas. This painting, never before on the market, comes from a private collection and is beautified by an impressive antique frame in gilded wood. Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Sabrina Egidi official Expert in Italian furniture for the Chamber of Commerce of Rome and for the Rome Civil Courts. Giovanni Maria delle Piane (1660 – 28 June 1745) was an aristocratic Genovese who served as primary court painter for over 60 years in the late-Baroque period. He is also known as "il Molinaretto". Giovanni Maria was born in Genoa, Italy, the son of Giovanni Battista delle Piane, from the noble house Delle Piane. He was nicknamed the "Molinaretto" as his grandparents, renown land owners from Polcevera, had watermills (from Italian molino, watermill). From the age of 10 till 16 years, he apprenticed with Giovanni Battista Merano, then he transferred to Rome to work under the famed fresco painter, Giovanni Battista Gaulli (il Baciccio), who held him like a son. The Genoese painter Enrico Vaymer was a fellow student and lifelong friend. In the Roman studio of Gaulli, Piane copied the works of great masters like Giulio Romano, Guido Reni, Annibale Carracci and Domenichino. These copies brought him acclaim. At Gaulli's studio, he also painted portraits. In 1684, he returned to Genoa, where the main portrait artist in the city, Giovanni Battista Carlone, had just died. He gained the a loyalty from other peer aristocratic families, noting he adapted to the new sensitivity, with attention to the fashion of his subjects, styling them with "majestic and elegant drapes taking them in certain new and witty movements". In 1695, by invitation of Count Morando, he completed a first journey to Parma, the city where his former master G.B. Merano was recently active. He found clients in the Farnesian cities and also in Genoa. He moved frequently among the cities of Emilia and Liguria, also painting sacred subjects. In 1705 the Cardinal Alberoni, sent by the Duke Francesco Farnese, assigned the artist, who seemed to be residing in Piacenza at that moment, to portray the Duke of Vendôme, commander of the Franco-Spanish troops. In 1706 the artist was again in Parma, commissioned to portray Duke Francesco, the Duchess Dorotea Sophia and the young Princess Elisabetta Farnese, Princess of Parma. Two years after he made the portrait of Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. He also traveled a few times to Milan. In 1709 he portrays Prince Antonio Farnese and the same year, he was nominated Court Painter in Parma from where, he returned to Genoa. On April 21, 1711, Piane became the personal painter of Princess Elisabeth, receiving a stipend, including food and accommodation. He still held that commission in 1737. Between 1714 and 1715 he portrayed Princess Elisabeth when she married King Philip V of Spain, from 1715 until 1737, he mainly resided with the royal family in Piacenza. In 1719 he was invited to go to Spain, probably by Princess Elisabeth, as she considered him as a trustable portraitist, but the journey was never undertaken. Though already elder in 1737, he relocated to Naples, where he was retained for some years as court painter for the young king Charles III of Spain, already duke of Parma and his wife Maria Amalia...

An elegant French Louis XV Period gilt wood Barometer with thermometer (original paint and original bombe glass), circa 1760. The thermometer seems intact. We have not remove the bac...

A set of four beautifully framed hand colored engravings by Reiner Boitet, Dutch, after G. V. Giessen, c. 1729. The engravings depict four specific houses of The Hague...

This interesting copper bassinoire with turned wood handle is from the 1700’s. A bassinoire is an old French instrument used to heat a bed. A hot material, such as coals or embers, would be placed into a metal receptacle. Copper was the preferred metal, as it is an excellent heat conductor. The handle was almost always wooden, allowing the bassinoire to be passed under the covers, in effect warming the bed. A long, turned wood handle (approximately 29 inches in length) has been screwed into the end of a copper vessel. A hinge allows the container to open along the medial axis, revealing an almost 50/50 separation. The top is pierced with three concentric circles of geometric shapes, allowing for proper ventilation. The middle of the smallest circle is engraved with a coat of arms that is topped with an open crown. The uniquely shaped escutcheon has a hammered background and a tasseled tail, with flags emblazoned on the shield. European winters could be particularly unbearable. It was of utmost importance for a household to own a bassinoire to warm up beds at night. Today, bassinoires are prized as decorative elements. Our 18th century French copper...

One of four framed Monkey Plates we are offering from the Buffon Comte de Quadrúpedes series by Georges-Louis Leclerc, France, circa 1770. A copper pla...

One of four framed Monkey Plates we are offering from the Buffon Comte de Quadrúpedes series by Georges-Louis Leclerc, France – circa 1770. A copper pl...

A charming needlepoint scene of a courting couple in Period costume under an elaborate canopy, on gold silk with floral and other decorative motifs. Framed under glass in a painted w...

Historically significant set of four 17th century hand colored copper plate engravings depicting fortifications and notable structures of French cities. ...

A pair of French Louis XV period framed painted panels from the 18th century, with floral, bird and angel motifs. Born in France during the reign o...

This exquisite pair of Louis XV oak blanc du roi-painted and floral-carved boiseries panels are from a French interior, circa 1760s. The pair of gilt-metal three-arm “cattail” sconce...

This ornate, antique paper and mother of pearl hand fan was crafted in France, circa 1780. The Rococo style fan is hand painted with bucolic ...

18th century glory frames in mother of pearl. Hand engraving with a history of saints.