Large Venetian Trumeau Veneered In Briar, 18th Century

Large Venetian trumeau veneered in briar, stand with two mirrored doors, three drawers on the wavy front, coat of arms in gilded wood, 18th century, 276x220x70 cm

In its magnificence, this “trumeau” represents the apogee of eighteenth-century Venetian cabinetmaking for its proportions, elegant shapes and concave movements. A superb example of the Venetian repertoire that unfortunately remains without an author due to a lack of documents. What is certain is that, based on the quality of execution, one can assume the hand of a master and the patronage of the aristocracy or the rich merchant class. Created to furnish a wall as an object of representation, in addition to its imposing beauty, the piece of furniture also had to have a function and this is demonstrated on the front by the drawers and doors and on the sides by the small double doors shaped in the lower part. As is known, this type of Venetian furniture is often found lacquered or decorated in poor art precisely to simulate the richest lacquering but there are just as many, like the one presented, pieces of furniture veneered in briar. It is in fact the clever combination of the briar panels, which follow the movements and the inlays often accompanied by gilded wooden friezes, that constitute the true decorative richness.

See for comparison: G. Morazzoni, Il mobile veneziano del ‘700, Milan, 1958, plates CCCLXXII; CCCLXXIII and plates CCCLXVIII; CCCLXIX
2023.163.10

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