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Lot Essay
The Arcadian Golden Age of Peace and Plenty and the triumph of Ceres is evoked by the harvest deitys sacred 'draco' or serpent that crowns the temple-pediment of this 'picturesque' and antique-fretted frame, which is garlanded with fruit and flowers. The Roman adage that the 'Science of Agriculture flourishes with the laying aside of arms', is recalled by trophies sculpted in the truss-scrolled 'tablet' corners. The frame is mosaiced with mirrored and engraved compartments in shell-decked and water-scalloped cartouches . Its tympanum vignette recalls 'abundance through labour', with the corn-bearing Earth deity reclined on the heros club; while Cupid sports with a club-wielding satyr at the sides.
The pier-glass, intended to accompany a marble-topped sideboard-table, is documented as being in the Palazzo Orsini in Rome. For comparable mirrors, see G. Morazzoni, Il Mobile Veneziano del'700, Milan, 1958, vol. I, pl. CCXXXI-CCXLI.
PALAZZO ORSINI, ROME
Palazzo Orsini in via Monte Savello, Rome, was built by Baldassarre Peruzzi in 1523-27 for the Savelli, one of the famous mediaeval families of Rome. The palazzo, which has three wings around a small garden, is built on the ruins of the Teatro di Marcello. The Palazzo became property of the Orsini family in 1716.
The pier-glass, intended to accompany a marble-topped sideboard-table, is documented as being in the Palazzo Orsini in Rome. For comparable mirrors, see G. Morazzoni, Il Mobile Veneziano del'700, Milan, 1958, vol. I, pl. CCXXXI-CCXLI.
PALAZZO ORSINI, ROME
Palazzo Orsini in via Monte Savello, Rome, was built by Baldassarre Peruzzi in 1523-27 for the Savelli, one of the famous mediaeval families of Rome. The palazzo, which has three wings around a small garden, is built on the ruins of the Teatro di Marcello. The Palazzo became property of the Orsini family in 1716.