VENICE, MID-18TH CENTURY

This rare pair of lacca trays of exceptional size and quality is decorated in lacca  which was with lacca povera the Venetian specialty of the first half of the 18th century which consisted in imitating oriental lacquer by applying a yellowish varnish called ‘sandracca’ to a polychrome decorated ground in order to render a convincing lacquer effect. It was an affordable and quick way for laccatori to supply goods which looked like oriental lacquer.   This pair of beautifully conserved trays is representative of the best Venetian production of the mid-18th century.  Related examples are conserved in private collections and Museums such as the Ca’Rezzonico in Venice.  For comparable models, see S. Levy, Lacche Veneziane Settecentesche, Milan, 1967, vol 2, Plate 472 to 487.