An Italian parcel-gilt, lacquer and ebonized bureau cabinet, Sicily, mid-18th century

Henry Rogers Broughton, 2nd Lord Fairhaven (1900-1973);

Thence by descent.

This bureau cabinet, with its vibrant floral sprays painted within cartouches and contrasting gilt decoration, is a characteristic example of mid-18th century Sicilian craftsmanship. It also reflects the Italian fascination with lacquerware which was directly inspired by imports from the East, particularly from Oriental lacquerware, making its way into the country through thriving trade hubs like Venice.

While Venice was a major centre for this trend, the taste for lacquer extended far beyond the north, reaching southern regions such as Sicily. Sicilian lacquer furniture typically features floral motifs and exotic birds, whereas Venetian pieces often included, almost systematically, Arcadian landscapes and oriental gardens populated with figures. In both regions, the vivid colours and bold, stylised two-dimensional outlines of the birds and flowers reflect the influence of imported Chinese silks and wallpapers.

An almost identical bureau, perhaps originally conceived as a pair to the present, was sold at Boetto, Genova, 21-22 September 1998, lot 349 (erroneously described as Venetian).  A comparable example from a distinguished Swiss private collection was sold at Christie's, London, 2 November 2016, lot 215 (£40,000). Otherwise, the lower section with its distinctive shaped sides can be compared to a small group of Sicilian commodes of the same period (illustrated M. Giarrizo and A. Rotolo, Il Mobile Siciliano, 2004, pp.88-93).