拍品 17
  • 17

An Italian silver and amaranth inlaid walnut, rosewood and marquetry bureau cabinet, Genoese, second quarter 18th century

估價
50,000 - 100,000 GBP
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描述

  • pweter, amarath, walnut, rosewood, pine
  • 244cm. high., 128cm wide., 60cm. deep; 8ft., 4ft. 2½in., 1ft. 11¾in.
the upper section with a broken pediment above a pair of bevelled mirrored doors opening to reveal a fitted interior with two long, four short drawers flanking a concave fronted door with three shelves and ten pigeon holes, the lower section with a fall-front opening to reveal a fitted interior with four pigeon holes, six drawers and central door concealing a compartment above two short and three concave fronted and bowed long drawers, the whole inlaid with strapwork cartouches, foliage and silver stringing, on bracket feet

Condition

In overall good conserved condition. Old very minor marks and chips to the veneer and some very miniscule losses which are hardly noticeable. There is some slight wrapping to the shelves in the upper section and there are some scattered age cracks and hairline construction cracks which are commensurate with age. A minor section of moulding at the top of the pigeon hole has become detached but can easily be fixed. There is a minor section approx. 6cm of moulding missing from the top of left side of the lower section which can easily be replaced. There appears to have originally been a secret compartment behind the central recess but this is now fixed and can not be opened. There are some minor losses around the shield shaped escutcheons and there is evidence of previous handles on all of the drawers. There is a green stain on some of the veneer which is a result of the polish but this can be removed. There is some very minor lifting to some of the inlay generally and there is a medium sized loss to the veneer of the top of the rightside when facing which can easily be restored. The rear feet have been reblocked.Evidence that there was formerly a finial on the cresting.
"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."

拍品資料及來源

Comparative Literature:
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.