An Italian third quarter 18th century figured walnut and amaranth line-inlaid serpentine commode
Venetian
Of arc-en-arbalete outline, the top with a line-inlaid surround and an ogee moulded edge, above two short and two long drawers, flanked by serpentine tablet-inlaid angles, with shaped ends, on four scroll carved and husk clasped squat cabriole legs, with shaped and scrolled aprons carved with rocaille and foliage centred by a shell, with an old paper label to the reverse with indistinct inscriptions: 'SIGNOR FRANCESCO...(?) ...(?) ... PICCOLA...(?)', 159cm wide x 71cm deep x 85cm high, (62 1/2in wide x 27 1/2in deep x 33in high)
Footnotes:
Provenance
By family repute, the present lot was very likely purchased in either Italy or Spain by the maternal grandmother of the vendor.
The former, who was herself of split Scottish, Spanish and Italian origins, married an Italian naval officer during the interwar period, and from the 1930s onwards they lived together in Italy and Spain.
The mother of the vendor of the offered commode, who re-located permanently to London during the 1960s, inherited it following the death of her father, the aforementioned naval officer.
As a result of this, the piece was soon after shipped from the family flat in Madrid to England, at about which time it is also believed to have undergone some sympathetic restoration.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP
TP Lot will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date.