Antique Lombard chest of drawers, Bergamo, dating to the second half of the 17th century (1650-1700).
Made of elm, walnut, and other woods.
Attributed to the Caniana workshop in Bergamo.
The top is made of solid elm, surrounded by a checkerboard trim and an elegant owl's beak molding surmounting a ribbed frame.
The front is divided into four drawers separated by richly carved leaf chains.
Each drawer features its original bronze knobs and locks (the key is missing) and is surrounded by a molded frame.
In the center are three walnut panels trimmed with maple, the lateral ones are rectangular with a center knob, and the central one is elongated and rhomboid, surmounted in the first three drawers by a horizontal lock eyelet.
The base, like the uprights, is richly carved and rests on shaped bracket feet.
The sides are also made of elm, surrounded by rich moldings.
The drawer frames, as well as the back and bottom of the cabinet, are made of fir, a distinctive element of Lombard furniture of the period.
Unlike Venetian cabinetmakers, who more often used poplar, Lombard ones sourced resinous woods from the nearby Seriana and Camaonica valleys.
The Caniana workshop operated from 1559 to 1825 in Bergamo.
The family's most renowned cabinetmaker was Giovan Battista Caniana, who lived between the 17th and 18th centuries, the workshop's heyday.
After his death, his four sons continued the business.
The piece for sale certainly dates back to the Giovan Battista Regency period. The style, wood, and construction techniques suggest that the chest offered here is attributable to this historic workshop.
The piece is in perfect condition (except for the missing key), shows signs of well-executed ancient restorations, and the polish is in good condition, as shown in the photos.
Dimensions:
Height 114 cm
Width 148 cm
Depth 59 cm
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SILVER Seller in Mantova, Italy
