Lot Details
Description
The three lacquered wood stools, with a light blue ground and carved and gilt profiles, are decorated in the Louis XV style, inspired by naturalistic forms, favouring curved lines and asymmetrical compositions while developing the characteristic features of the Rococo taste. They are representative examples of the work of the cabinetmaker Giovanni Battista Ugliengo, who was active at the Court of Turin between 1739 and 1785. These stools may be attributed to this minusiere (master cabinetmaker), whose oeuvre has yet to be fully reconstructed. Under the direction of the Court architect Benedetto Alfieri, Ugliengo executed the boiseries for three rooms of the Royal Private Archives (Regi Archivi Particolari) of the Royal Palace of Turin. In 1852, these interiors were reinstalled in two rooms of the Royal Hunting Lodge of Stupinigi, and the present stools are closely associated with this decorative ensemble. The presence of carved inventory marks on two of the three stools ("+VII" and "+VIII", respectively carved on the frame of one stool and on the underside of the cushion of another) indicates that they originally formed part of a larger suite comprising at least eight pieces.
The remarkable state of preservation of these three stools, together with their historical and artistic significance within the context of the eighteenth-century Savoy court, has led the Italian Ministry of Culture to recognise them as being of particular interest to the National Cultural Heritage pursuant to Articles 10(3)(a) and 13 of Legislative Decree No. 42 of 22 January 2004 (Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape). Accordingly, these works may be sold exclusively within the territory of Italy. Any transfer of ownership is subject to prior notification to the competent Italian cultural heritage authorities, in accordance with the applicable legislation.
Dimensions
HxLxD 17,32in x 17,72in x 16,53in
Provenience
Private collection
Condition
Defects.
Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers must understand that any statement made by Coradi Rare Finds is merely a subjective opinion.
