Thomas Moore
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Lot 12*,TP
A group of four Italian second half 18th century 'lacca' and parcel gilt mirrors Venetian, each one a different model
13 – 14 July 2022, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £19,125 inc. premium
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A group of four Italian second half 18th century 'lacca' and parcel gilt mirrors
Venetian, each one a different model
Each decorated with assorted flowers and scrolled foliage, one mirror painted with a bird and another depicting a rustic couple reclining together with a dog in a rural landscape, within similarly shaped pierced foliate C- and S-scroll, acanthus and rocaille carved surrounds, one surmounted by a classical profile medallion, one mirror with a 'Galleria Orsi' label to the reverse, one mirror approximately: 74cm high x 45cm wide. (4)
Each decorated with assorted flowers and scrolled foliage, one mirror painted with a bird and another depicting a rustic couple reclining together with a dog in a rural landscape, within similarly shaped pierced foliate C- and S-scroll, acanthus and rocaille carved surrounds, one surmounted by a classical profile medallion, one mirror with a 'Galleria Orsi' label to the reverse, one mirror approximately: 74cm high x 45cm wide. (4)
Footnotes
Provenance
Galleria Orsi.
Purchased in the late 20th century by the current owner and vendor from the dealer Cesaro, in Padua.
A Venetian 18th century 'lacca' mirror, which is similar to two of the mirrors comprising the offered lot, sold Christie's, London, 29 April-20 May 2021, The Collector: Onine, lot 85.
The fashion for exotic lacquers from China and Japan reached the Occident through the centuries, and came to its apogee in Venice in the 18th Century. Venetian 'laccatori' were among the first to imitate lacquer, and their furniture and objects were much sought after as a result. Chinoiserie motifs closely imitated Oriental patterns at first, but during the second half of the 18th Century, Venetian lacquerers created different designs, loosely combining chinoiserie motifs with figures, animals, birds and landscapes.
Other imitations of oriental lacquer were created in Venice, as the technique known as 'lacca povera' with printed glued vignettes. Interestingly, after the painted decoration was finished, the 'laccatori' used up to eighteen layers of a specific varnish called 'sandracca' which was applied to protect the decoration. With time, this precious varnish turned yellowish, therefore changing our perception of the initial ground colour, which most of the time was originally light blue or turquoise. Ageing 'sandracca' crackled, giving its surface a delicate fine craquelure only visible under close examination, which is a sign of an untouched decorative scheme.
Related Literature
G. Morazzoni, Il Mbile Laccato del Settecento, Vol II, 1958, Milan, tav. CDLXXX a sin.
G. Mariacher, Specchiere Italiane e Cornici da Specchio, dal XV al XIX Secolo, 1963, tav. II.
C. Santini, Le Lacche dei Venziani, 2003, Modena, p. 103, fig. 32.
S. Levy, Lacche Veneziane Settecentesche, Vol. II, tavv. 318-319.
Galleria Silva, Catalogo, No. 4, Settembre 2005, pp.'s 46-47.
Galleria Silva,