An Italian engraved ivory, mother-of-pearl and brass inlaid ebony and rosewood marquetry chest of drawers attributed to Giuseppe Maria Galbiati, Turin first quarter 18th century; mounts later

with three long drawers

V. Rol Collection, Turin

A. Midana, L'Arte del Legno in Piemonte nel sei e nel settecento, Mobili decorazioni arredi Barocchi e rococo, Turin, illustrated, p. 100, plate 167.

Some very minor restorations to veneer and hairline cracks commensurate with normal shrinkage. The brass banding on left side of the escutcheon on central drawer is missing and can easily be replaced. Some of the brass is lifting slightly and may well have replaced ivory stringing. There are restored cracks down the sides and some old minor restorations generally. The feet have been strengthened at the back. There are some minor hairline splits generally commensurate with age and some minor lifting of veneer generally. The inside of drawers have been stained. There are later runners on drawers. There is a casting crack to the escutcheon on the lower drawer which can either be left or restored. The middle drawer has been strengthened at the back behind the lockplate with a later piece of wood. In otherwise good restored 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."

Comparative Literature:
R. Antonetto, Minusieri ed Ebanisti del Piemonte, Storia ed Immagini del Mobile Piemontese 1636-1844.  D. Piazza, 1985, p. 257, plate 364.
E.  Colle, Il Mobile Rococò In Italia: Arredi e Decorazioni d'Interni dal 1738 al 1775, Milan, 2003, pp. 490-491.
G.  Ferraris, Pietro Piffetti e gli Ebanisti a Torino 1670-1838.  Turin, 1992.

The ivory inlay on this commode and contrast of ivory and ebony on a kingwood ground  and the design of the scrolling foliage and flowers within strapwork reserves is typical of the oeuvre of  Giuseppe Maria Galbiati in the first quarter of the 18th century. A related commode by him is illustrated by Antonetto, op. cit.  p. 257, plate 364. The same author op. cit., also illustrates various bureaux mazarin by the same maker in a similar vein, pp. 254-255, plates 358-361.

Giuseppe Maria Galbiati:
The Turinese ebanista Giuseppe Maria Galbiati was accepted as a master by the Università dei minusieri ed ebanisti di Torino on the 28^th of July 1703, from which date he then supplied numerous pieces of furniture to the Royal court of Savoy.

Believed to have worked alongside his brother Pasquale during 1705, Galbiati developed a reputation as a craftsman specialising in inlay of exceptionally fine execution, often working with ivory.  Popular designs at the time included ornate floral marquetry alongside cartouches and scenes of an allegorical nature.

In total, twenty-three pieces of furniture attributed to Galbiati are known to exist, although only three have been listed in Ferraris's publication. These include two walnut desks for the apartments of the Castello di Rivoli in Turin on the 30^th July 1716, and two prie dieu secretaires featuring olivewood inlay, again for the Castello residence on the 16^th February 1717.
A number of his pieces were previously thought to have been executed by the cabinet-maker Luigi Prinotto, due to the fact that several craftsmen would often work on the same item.  However, the discovery by Professor Giancarlo Ferraris of a bureau signed 'Galbiati fecit' has provided a solid basis for attributing to Galbiati other pieces bearing an almost identical frame and stylistic design to those by Prinotto.