A pair of Italian carved giltwood and lacquered armchairs Venice, circa 1750

each with a cartouche-shaped padded back and seat upholstered in red cut velvet, the shaped carved back frame with pierced carved shell crest, adorned throughout with polychrome flowers; the pronounced out-scrolled arms above the conforming seat-rail with c-scrolls to sides and carved front apron and deep scrolling cabriole legs with flower carved knees and terminating in raised scrolled feet

Collection Conte Dino Barozzi, Palazzo Soranzo-Von Axel, Venice;

European Private Collection.

Lacche Veneziane del Settecento, Ca' Rezzonico, Venice, 25th April - 31st October 1938, n. 38.

Giulio Lorenzetti, Lacche Veneziane del Settecento, Ca' Rezzonico, Venice, Carlo Ferrari, 1938, fig. 43;

Giuseppe Morazzoni, Mobili Veneziani Del’ 700, Casa Editrice D’Arte Bestetti e Tumminelli, 1927, tav. CXVII;

Giuseppe Morazzoni, Mobili Veneziani Del’ 700, Gorlich Editore, 1958, tav. LIII, LV;

Giuseppe Morazzoni, Mobile Veneziani Laccati, vol I, Edizioni Luigi Alfredi, 1955, tav. LV, 1.

These superb armchairs are in overall good conserved condition. Minor restorations to the gilding which is rubbed in parts.The frame of the backs on the reverse is painted in a light green ground with green foliage. Scattered minor chips and losses to both commensurate with age and normal usage. Chair 1 (p. 164). It has a minor construction crack to the back. The shell carving on the cresting has been restored which is visible in the catalogue photograph.There is a minor loss to carving to edge of back frame on the right side as visible from the catalogue photograph. Reblocked. The seat-rail inscribed "1"; Chair 2 (p. 165). Restored hairline construction cracks at the joints commensurate with age and normal usage. There is a restored break to the carving on left hand side apron and minor section of the left front foot now missing which can easily be restored and the right side front leg has been broken in the past and restored. Reblocked. The seat rail inscribed "2".
"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."

These palatial armchairs are based on an archetypical Venetian armchair model elevated to an unusual level of sophistication, with their grand proportions and impressive virtuoso carving. The very rare combination of fanciful polychrome floral motifs with a two tone gilt ground makes them truly outstanding examples of Venetian Rococo chair-making and possibly unique in their class. 

These characterful works of art not only embody the true spirit of the rococo style but also of the Serenissima. From the middle of the 18^th century onwards, the more the politically isolated Venetian republic showed signs of commercial slow down, the more the ancient aristocratic families and wealthy merchants started to dissipate their accumulated fortunes in the competition to decorate their palazzi and villas in the country. The cosmopolitan Venetian Republic rivalled Paris at the time, as the capital of taste, fashion and every kind of luxury. This 18^th century dolce-vita attitude permeated all aspects of social and cultural life of the Venetian’s alla moda.  

The high quality of these armchairs needs to be understood in this context of extravagance and gaiety, affirmed by the fact they have been in the collection of one of the most distinguished collectors/dealers of Italian Furniture, Conte Dino Barozzi. Born to one of the oldest families in Venice, Barozzi was Head Superintendent of Fine Arts and Cultural Goods of the Kingdom of Italy in the late 19^th century, later becoming an important dealer in Old Master paintings and Furniture. This connoisseur acquired the 15^th century Palazzo Soranzo-Van Axel in Venice, restoring and furnishing it with his extraordinary collection, where these chairs were most likely on display.