VENISE XVIe siècle

VENISE XVIe siècle

IMPORTANT CREDENZA XVIth century
Walnut
H. 124 cm, W. 166 cm, D. 62 cm
Provenance
Ancient collection of the Galleria d'Arte Antica Regina Cornaro
Presented at the IV Mostra Mercato Internationale dell'Antiquariato, Tesori d'Arte a Venezia, Palazzo Grassi, 11 October - 2 November 1980, p. 264
If Italy did not know the sideboard, it created a specific exhibition piece of furniture, the credenza. Originally a simple table, it became a low cupboard, with lock and key. It served as a sideboard in small dining rooms, fashionable in well-to-do classrooms since the Quattrocento; or as a dressing table, on which ewer and basin were placed in private rooms.
Our credenza, which exudes strength and great sobriety, has two doors in the front. The belt has three drawers and supports a thick overhanging top. Resting on lion paw legs and a moulded gadroon base, this elegant piece of furniture takes its rhythm and decoration from its structure and shape.
On either side of the two leaves, a very refined sculpted decoration of Renaissance dolphins contrasts with the sobriety of the leaves simply adorned at each end with four knobs. In the centre, separating the two doors, a vertical pattern of floral garlands accentuates this contrast between the two leaves and the rest of the façade, creating harmony and balance. The drawers, finely carved in a frieze of floral accolades, are opened by pendants.
This important and rare credenza, characterizes the Venetian productions among the most beautiful that Northern Italy produced in the Cinquecento. Automatically translated by DeepL. To see the original version, click here.