An Italian Baroque parcel-gilt, black and gilt japanned and polychrome-decorated bureau cabinet Genoa, circa 1735

James Hepworth Fine Art, Elton Hall, Elton, Ludlow, 1995 

Carlton Hobbs, Catalogue Number Three, London, 1992, No. 11

With scattered age and construction cracks, dents and abrasions; all consistent with age and use. Scattered cracks, minor lifting and losses to gesso. Carving with some losses; not extensive. Cresting with restored breaks and possibly lacking finial. Japanning with fine cracks, some losses, inpainting and restorations. Interior writing surface and reverse of fall front rececorated. Losses to gilding and polychrome decoration of interior flanking doors of upper section. Removable frame around alcove with restored breaks and restoraitons. Scattered old worm damage. Mounts with oxidation and surface dirt. Backand interior of drawers repainted. Mirror plates with foxing. In otherwise good 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.
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.

In the eighteenth century Genoa enjoyed an almost equal reputation to Venice with respect to its lacquered furniture. Although Genoese pieces sometimes lacked the playfulness and exaggeration of lacquered furniture produced in La Serenissima, due to the vicinity of France and its influence on the Republic of Genoa, furniture manufactured in the Republic can be characterized by an understated elegance that exists harmoniously with Italian grandeur and flair for vivacious and animated forms. Lacquer furniture produced in Genoa by contrast with the Venetian examples was distinctive as the corporation of the laccatori used a different type of lacquer to that produced in Venice which was thinner and leaner and was devised specifically not to cover the details of the sculpted elements. The lacquerwork on the present bureau cabinet is a typical product of the Genoese laccatori as it is applied in a thin layer. The relatively wide overall form and proportions of this cabinet also indicate a Genoese origin. The undulating front and sides and the curved projection of the fall-front are further characteristics of cabinets produced in Genoa in the eighteenth century and can be seen on numerous contemporaneous models such as the ones illustrated in Lodovico Caumont Caimi, L'ebanesteria genoese del settecento, Parma, 1995, pp. 72-73 and 77-83. Although Genoese lacquered furniture is most often decorated in lighter hues, a custom that is reflected in the vivid coloring of the alcove of the upper section, there are known examples of dark-ground pieces such as a commode illustrated ibid p. 27 and an armoire illustrated ibid. 29. However, such pieces are rather uncommon, making the present lot particularly interesting.