Venetian Lacquer and Polychrome Painted Secretaire Cabinet

Venetian Lacquer and Polychrome Painted Secretaire Cabinet

Of two-part form. The upper section surmounted by a boldly carved and gilded cresting of acanthus scrolls and floral sprays centred by a rocaille cartouche, above a serpentine broken-arch pediment decorated en grisaille with a central lozenge-form reserve depicting putti and floral swags; the pair of arched doors with mirror-glazed panels, each door further enriched with polychrome fleurs and foliate strapwork on a celadon ground, opening to reveal a fitted interior with shaped pigeonholes, letter slots and small drawers with original lockplates, the interior surfaces painted in vermilion with scalloped and fretted detailing; the interior of the doors painted with vasi di fiori and scrolling acanthus on a coral ground. The fall-front secretaire section below with a serpentine tablier painted with floral sprays, revealing a fitted writing surface with small drawers; above three long serpentine-fronted drawers each painted with polychrome floral bouquets within shaped cartouches on an ocre ground, with original blackened drop handles and escutcheons; the whole raised on carved cabriole feet.

Italy, Early 20th Century