A SUPERBLY DRAWN, POLYCHROME PAINTED PAIR OF BENCHES IN THE CHINOISERIE TASTE

A SUPERBLY DRAWN, POLYCHROME PAINTED PAIR OF BENCHES IN THE CHINOISERIE TASTE

Probably Lombardy. Last Quarter Of The Eighteenth Century.

Measurements
Height: 40" (101.6cm); Width: 57 1/4" (145.4 cm); Depth: 23 1/2" (59.7cm).

Research:
Of painted walnut. Each with rectangular open back set with five pierced tapering splats in the form of back-to-back Oriental figures flanking repeating pagoda forms of diminishing size, above a conforming seat flanked by downswept arms. The whole raised on six tapering legs, each with stylized lotus leaf capital and terminating in a ball foot.

The present pair of benches represent the height of sophistication in late eighteenth century Northern Italian furniture. They are of a most unusual and successful design combining neoclassical lightness and elegance with the oriental inspired fantasy of chinoiserie. “The long lasting appeal for the exotic and in particular for ‘cineserie’ was particularly noticeable in the Venice, Lombardy and Piedmont regions of Italy.” Here we find successful exercises in constructing elaborate chinoiserie interiors, more than two-dozen of which are preserved in palaces and villas of Turin.

Full research report available on request.