A fine Italian rococo lacca povera slant front desk 'casetone a ribalta' mid-18th century, possibly Sicily

In excellent restored condition; the overall colors are more vibrant and lighter than appear in catalogue illustration; has been revarnished and colors enhanced in places
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

An arte povera commode of Piedmontese origin with similar decoration is illustrated, Elisabetta Barbolini Ferrari, Mobili Dipinti, Tempera, Lacca ed Arte povera nelle botteghe italiane tra XVII e XVIII secolo, Modena, 2004, p. 150.

The art of lacca povera originated in Venice where artisans, faced with the high costs and long preparations of traditional lacquer, sought a new cheaper process and discovered that ready-made designs could be applied to the furniture by gluing cut-out engravings of very thin paper directly onto furniture, they would then be colored. The final step was applying a thick varnish which created a uniform film, giving a finished "lacquered" appearance.