A fine Italian parcel-gilt and walnut small bureau cabinet, Venetian circa 1740

with an arched cresting centerd by a cartouche-shaped mirror surmounted by a vase and pierced swan neck pediment with flower-filled urn giltwood finials above a pair of arched mirrored doors enclosing a fitted interior with pigeon-holes, a door and three drawers all surmounted by a balustrade above a fall-front opening to reveal a further fitted interior with a cupboard door and two drawers above three serpentine drawers with projecting canted corners and serpentine sides on bracket feet

The colour overall less yellow and much more natural and attractive than in catalogue photograph with a good patina. The image on page 108 is too yellow, and page 109 is too dark, and the piece is somewhat in between. Some very minor restorations to the veneer and to old vertical hairline construction cracks which have been filled, which have been very well executed. A rare small size in overall good, conserved condition. Highly recommended.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
C. Morazzoni, II Mobile Veneziano del Settecento, Milan, 1958.

Deriving its form from the Anglo-Dutch repertory, the bureau-cabinet, improperly called in Italy trumeau (from the French mirror which used to stand between two windows), very soon became the most important piece of furniture in the palaces of the ancient Venetian aristocracy and the rich merchants. Although they were meant to cut a bellafigura on the best wall of a salon, these pieces were supposed to be functional too. While the bureaux cabinets commissioned for the suburban villas were often lacquered or decorated in arte povera to simulate lacquer, the finest examples which are found in the most important palaces of the lagoon were veneered in burr walnut which was highlighted with parcel-gilt carved elements and the presence of engraved mirrors. Sometimes these bureaux-cabinets have cupboards on each side, making their size quite monumental, if not a little excessive. Unfortunately, due to lack of documentary evidence, very few names of cabinet-makers, carvers and gilders survive, to enable an attribution to a particular maker to be made.