An Italian giltwood, burgauté and partially lacquered mirror, Venice, circa 1700

John Hobbs, London;

Private collection, Belgium.

RELATED LITERATURE :

C. Alberici, Il Mobile Veneto, Milan, 1980, p. 159, ill. 218

The production of lacquered wooden furniture in Venice at the turn of the 18th century reflects the innovative nature of furniture made in the Serenissima. This mirror is exceptional for its use of polychrome lacquer combined with mother-of-pearl inlay, a technique revived by Venetian craftsmen from earlier traditions and paired here with European-style floral and ornamental motifs.

The creation of furniture and objects employing this refined technique became a Venetian specialty, as evidenced by documented works from various artists, such as Domenico Rossetti (1650–1736), a renowned architect and sculptor, known to have created a room in this style for the home of Angelo Nicolosi.

Several works in this style were sold by Sotheby's Paris during the sale of the Volpi di Misurata collection on 28 February 2024, including a related mirror, two console tables, and a set of eight armchairs. A very similar mirror was sold by Christie's London on 7 December 2006, lot 35. Other related mirrors exhibit a similar technique, notably the example held at the Museo Civico di Storia e Arte in Trieste (illustrated in C. Alberici, Il Mobile Veneto, Milan, 1980, p. 159, ill. 218).