PAIR OF SCULPTURED ARMCHAIRS Venice, 17th century Natural... Lot 53

PAIR OF SCULPTURED ARMCHAIRS Venice, 17th century Natural walnut; seat and back in studded leather H. 130 cm, W. 81 cm, D. 60 cm This pair of walnut armchairs, with high flat back, presents a rich decoration of carved volutes forming the armrests and the front base. The two legs are linked by a crosspiece with two volutes centered on a shell, drawing its sources from an ornamental repertoire widely used in Italy at the end of the 17th century, as can also be seen in the chairs of the church of Saint Francis in the Marche (fig. 1). Ours are very different, with a less dry and more dynamic treatment of the sculpture. Our sculptor has given life to the material. The feet are fed with large leaves with terminal scrolls. The swirling volutes deconstruct the structure of the arms of the armchairs and announce the art of the great Venetian masters Andrea Brustolon and Ott avio Calderoni and their emulators, active at the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century (fig. 2).