A North-Italian marquetry panel, by Giulio Masnada, Bergamo, late 19th century

Sotheby's Milan, Furniture, Ceramics, Silver and Works of Art, 10-11 July 2007, lot 242.

Giulio Masnada, also known as Fra Topolino (1852-1926) was an Italian cabinetmaker and inlayer. Born into a family of carpenters, Giulio Masnada became a skilled wood carver who excelled in creating elaborate scenes in marquetry defying other mediums like painting. Masnada's skills are displayed through this panel through his ability to render the architectural perspective, the foreshortening and the contrast between light and shadow. Often, next to his signature, he indicated the number of pieces (231 in the case of the present lot) with which he made his marquetry panels.