A NORTH ITALIAN WALNUT AND FRUITWOOD MARQUETRY COMMODE
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A NORTH ITALIAN WALNUT AND FRUITWOOD MARQUETRY COMMODE

IN THE MANNER OF GIOVANNI MAFFEZZOLI, LOMBARDY, CIRCA 1800

Details
A NORTH ITALIAN WALNUT AND FRUITWOOD MARQUETRY COMMODE
IN THE MANNER OF GIOVANNI MAFFEZZOLI, LOMBARDY, CIRCA 1800
The rectangular grey fossil marble top above three walnut-lined drawers with bone escutcheons decorated sans traverse with a capriccio scene with classical ruins, an obelisk, within a ribbon-tied floral surround, the sides conformingly-inlaid with colonnaded arched ruins, on square tapering feet, inscribed 'CA' and 'X1', loss to back right corner of marble top
35¾ in. (90.5 cm.) high; 48¾ in. (123.5 cm.) wide; 23¼ in. (59 cm.) deep
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 17.5% on the buyer's premium.

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Giles Forster
Giles Forster

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Lot Essay

The distinctive trompe l'oeil architectural scenes of classical ruins depicted on the present commode and delicate ribboned foliate trails which adorn the uprights relate this commode to the oeuvre of Cremonese inlayer Giovanni Maffezzoli (1776-1818), arguably the most gifted pupil and follower of Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814).

Piranesi's architectural engravings were a source of inspiration for many North Italian intarsiatori and his influence can be seen in the work of Piedmontese inlayer Ignazio Revelli (1756-1836) who worked with his son Luigi (1776-1858). Closely related examples by Maffezzoli featuring architectural scenes with classical ruins are illustrated in A. Gonzalez-Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto, vol II, Milan, 1986, pp. 302-308, figs 630-646, while G. Morazzoni illustrates a related commode by Ignazio Revelli (Il Mobile Neoclassico Italiano, Milan, 1955, Tav. LXXXVIII).

Amongst the related examples sold at auction, a commode featuring comparable classical scenes was sold 'La Strada Romana', Christie's, London, 14 May 2008, lot 252 (£29,300). Further related commodes were sold respectively at Sotheby's, New York, 22 March 1986, lot 157 (ill. A.Gonzalez-Palacios, Ibid, fig. 646), Christie's, New York, 28 March 2007, lot 134, while commode by Maffezzoli was sold Osenat, France, 29 June 2008, lot 44 (EUR260,000).

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