VENITIAN BERCEAU OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 18th... Lot 21

VENITIAN BERCEAU OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 18th CENTURY In lacquered wood and partially gilded, with polychrome floral decoration of birds and flowering scrolls on a cream background, gilded wooden masks in profile in the lower part, resting on a rocking base; restorations H. 93.5 cm (36 ¾ in.) l. : 136 cm (53 ½ in.) P. 75 cm (29 ½ in.) Comparative Bibliography: S. Levy, Lacche Veneziane Settecentesche, Görlich Editore, Milano, 1967, pl. 414-416. G. Morazzoni, Il Mobile Veneziano del 700, Görlich Editore, Milano, 1958, pl. CDL. C. Santini, Mille Mobili Veneti, Artioli Editore, Modena, 2002, p. 286. A Venetian parcel-gilt and polychrome lacquered cradle, second half of the 18th century This cradle, with its rich carved wood and polychrome lacquered decoration, is a rare testimony to the level of excellence acquired by Venetian lacquerers in the mid-eighteenth century. Entire rooms were furnished with lacquered pieces, demonstrating the virtuosity of these craftsmen. Despite the presence of elements from the Rococo repertoire such as its "boat" structure or the shape of the base, the presence of sculpted medallions in profile of neoclassical inspiration allows us to date it to the 1770s. Venetian cradles of this period fall into two distinct categories: those with a detachable base, such as the example sold at Sotheby's London on July 8, 20.15, lot 27, and those with a rocker; our example belongs to the second category. The rarity of our example is amplified by its decoration where the lacquered parts are mixed with sculpted and gilded elements. A virtually identical copy, preserved in Ca Rezzonico in Venice, is illustrated in G. Morazzoni, Il Mobile Veneziano del 700, Görlich Editore, Milano, 1958, pl. CDL while a second one was in the collection of Mr. Tullio Silva (op. ibid.).