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Lot Essay
This pair of divani with their serpentine back and seat, naturalistically carved on pronounced cabriole legs are a typical form produced by Piedmontese carvers and gilders. Related examples can be found in Royal residences of the House of Savoy such as Palazzo Madama and Palazzo Reale in Turin.
They relate to a collection of banquettes in the throne room at Palazzo Madama (Carlo Steiner, Mobile e Ambienti Italiani sal Gotico al Floreale, Vol I Milano, 1963, p. 68). All share the same elegance of foliate motifs combined with scrolls and rocaille on distinctive cabriole legs.
The design for this pair of divani was probably conceived or influenced by the same architects responsible for the design of the interiors of the royal palaces, such as Filippo Juvarra, (1678-1736) and Benedetto Alfieri, (1699-1767). Under their directorship the interiors of the Palazzo Reale in Turin were greatly renewed in a radiating grandness and splendour. This was also reflected in the furniture displayed there and it is almost certain that this pair of divani formed part of the Royal collection.
They relate to a collection of banquettes in the throne room at Palazzo Madama (Carlo Steiner, Mobile e Ambienti Italiani sal Gotico al Floreale, Vol I Milano, 1963, p. 68). All share the same elegance of foliate motifs combined with scrolls and rocaille on distinctive cabriole legs.
The design for this pair of divani was probably conceived or influenced by the same architects responsible for the design of the interiors of the royal palaces, such as Filippo Juvarra, (1678-1736) and Benedetto Alfieri, (1699-1767). Under their directorship the interiors of the Palazzo Reale in Turin were greatly renewed in a radiating grandness and splendour. This was also reflected in the furniture displayed there and it is almost certain that this pair of divani formed part of the Royal collection.