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Maria Angiolillo was married to Renato Angiolillo, the founder of Il Tempo. She was described by Gianni Letta as a moderator and ambassador of Peace, having staged many important and delicate political encounters over the past fifty years. Donna Maria was highly respected, glamorous and intelligent, and with her gracious manners developed many lasting friendships.
Villino Giulia is the magnificent dimora in which Maria Angiolillo lived for much of her later life, situated in the shadow of the Trinita' dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome. It was a sanctuary for the intelligencia; namely politicians, entrepreneurs, financiers and journalists; both national and international.
Always elegant, refined and composed, Maria Angiolillo would host legendary dinners with her carefully selected guests seated around three tables: Alba, Meriggio, Tramonto (Dawn, Midday, Sunset). From the welcoming butler in livery, the beautiful bouquets of flowers and the precise position of the fork on the table, everything was methodical and exact every time. Surrounding her guests was the sophisticated Roman Collection assembled by Donna Maria. A celebration of l'art du vivre, the remarkable series of salons reflect a truly international taste with a distinctive Italian flair. In every direction, one's eye was drawn to works of Rococo whimsy and Neoclassical restraint, understated opulence and technical virtuosity. But instead of reflecting life under the ancien regime, all was united by a free and refreshingly modernist creative spirit - Panini and Fragonard juxtaposed with the contemporary accents of Mitoraj and de Dominicis.
Naturally drawn to the objets de luxe so brilliantly created by the Parisian marchand-merciers in the mid-18th Century, the collection embraces sophisticated French ébénisterie and tapestries, superlative Roman giltwood consoles and Genoese marquetry, beautifully painted Capodimonte and Meissen porcelain, Chinoiserie and Asian objects and silver from as far afield as St. Petersburg. It is a fascinating treasure trove that has remained hidden for almost half a century.
AN ITALIAN GILT-METAL, CUT-GLASS AND ROCK CRYSTAL SIX-LIGHT CHANDELIER
LATE 19TH CENTURY
Details
AN ITALIAN GILT-METAL, CUT-GLASS AND ROCK CRYSTAL SIX-LIGHT CHANDELIER
LATE 19TH CENTURY
Of open scrolling outline with beaded scrolls hung with pearl-shaped drops and flower-heads, above a shaped pendant boss, losses and replacements, fitted for electricity
31½ in. (80 cm.) high; 25½ in. (65 cm.) diameter
LATE 19TH CENTURY
Of open scrolling outline with beaded scrolls hung with pearl-shaped drops and flower-heads, above a shaped pendant boss, losses and replacements, fitted for electricity
31½ in. (80 cm.) high; 25½ in. (65 cm.) diameter
Brought to you by
Victoria von Westenholz
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