A PAIR OF NORTH ITALIAN KINGWOOD, TULIPWOOD, ROSEWOOD, AMARANTH AND MARQUETRY COMMODES

LOMBARDY, CIRCA 1800, IN THE MANNER OF GIOVANNI MAFFEZZOLI

Details

The black rectangular Bigio Antico marble top above a foliate frieze with three graduated long drawers, the top drawer inlaid with opposing griffins and floral sprays, the lower drawers depicting a classical temple with figures in the background, each side conformingly decorated, the angles headed by obelisks, terminating in square tapering feet
36 1/4 in. (92 cm) high; 49 3/4 in. (126.5 cm.) wide; 23 1/2 in. (59.5 cm.) deep
Lot Essay

The Piranesian classical ruins depicted on the front and sides of this commode recall the work of Giovanni Maffezzoli (1776-1818), the Cremonese maker who was the most gifted pupil of Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814). Piranesi's architectural engravings were a source of inspiration for many North Italian intarsiatori. His influence can also been seen in the work of the Piedmontese intarsiatori Ignazio Ravelli (1756-1836) who worked with his son, Luigi (1776-1858). The Ravellis specialised in creating marquetry pictures as well as incorporating panels into case furniture.
A pair of commodes together with a pair of commodini en suite, attributed to Maffezzoli and incorporating virtually identical marquetry decoration were sold Sotheby's Paris, 17 November 2021, lots 41 and 42.