- 17
An Italian silver and amaranth inlaid walnut, rosewood and marquetry bureau cabinet, Genoese, second quarter 18th century
Description
- pweter, amarath, walnut, rosewood, pine
- 244cm. high., 128cm wide., 60cm. deep; 8ft., 4ft. 2½in., 1ft. 11¾in.
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Lodovico Caumont Caimi, L’Ebanisteria Genovese del Settecento, Parma, 1995, p. 53-54, figs. 8 and 9.
Giuseppe Morazzoni, Il Mobile Genovese, Milan, plates 177 and 178.
This extremely elegant and unrecorded bureau cabinet inlaid with silver stringing and decorated with strapwork cartouches, still baroque in conception, is inspired by Anglo-Dutch prototypes, the designs of which influenced European furniture production due to the extensive trade links with England. Many of these bureau cabinets were plain veneered and very few recorded examples have such elaborate decoration. The quality of construction, beautifully chosen veneers and the silver stringing on the offered cabinet represents the very best of Genoese ebanisteria (cabinet-making). The distinctive interlacing scrolls and strapwork, almost Berainesque in manner, are typical of this period.
Caumont Caimi illustrates op. cit., fig. 8, a related bureau cabinet of very similar form, with a shaped pediment and recessed central section on the drawers and strapwork in palissander with silver filets, circa 1730-35, (Collection Sinatra, Camogli). The silver filets are a particular feature of these Genoese bureau cabinets, as found on the present example.
A related bureau cabinet inlaid in mother-of pearl was sold in these Rooms, 13th December 2000, lot 220 (£270,0000), reproduced here in fig. 1. Another related bureau cabinet described as probably Genoese was sold Christie's, London 1st October 1998, lot 290.