Baroque Venetian Hand-Carved Walnut & Burl Walnut Wardrobe with Mirror, 1910s

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Description

Important venetian artistic armoire in richly figured burled walnut, attributed to the atelier of vincenzo cadorin and produced for fratelli … Read more Important venetian artistic armoire in richly figured burled walnut, attributed to the atelier of vincenzo cadorin and produced for fratelli testolini, venice, early 20th century.
the cabinet is distinguished by an exceptionally refined architectural composition, combining the sculptural quality of hand-carved walnut with the highly decorative effect of carefully selected and symmetrically arranged burl veneers.
the front is articulated by two tall lateral doors with softly curved profiles, framing a central panel fitted with a large shaped mirror. The mirror is finely beveled along its perimeter, creating an elegant transition between the reflective surface and the carved wooden surround. The upper section is crowned by an elaborate hand-carved crest with scrolling vegetal and shell motifs, while the lower section is enriched by a further sculptural carving that gives visual balance to the composition.
particularly noteworthy are the carved feet and the floral and foliate ornaments positioned at the lower corners, which demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship and reinforce the distinctly artistic character of the piece.
the quality of the burl walnut is exceptional, with deep, dramatic figuring that changes according to the light and emphasizes the sinuous construction of the cabinet. The combination of highly figured veneer, carved solid walnut and sophisticated proportions reflects the level of cabinetmaking associated with important venetian decorative arts workshops of the period.
the piece is attributed to the atelier of vincenzo cadorin, venice, and was produced for fratelli testolini, one of the distinguished venetian firms active in the furnishing and decorative arts trade. The central mirror is associated with salviati, venice, further enhancing the venetian character and artistic interest of the cabinet.
although conceived as a prestigious wardrobe with mirrored central section, its strong architectural quality also allows for contemporary use in an important bedroom, dressing room, entrance hall or collector’s interior. The central mirror could also be reversibly substituted with a plain transparent glass panel, allowing the cabinet to function as a display cabinet while preserving the original mirror separately.
provenance:
chiesura-baldan family, venice.
a&myart collection since 1985.
catalog number: ma h29
dimensions:
height: 210 cm
width: 190 cm
depth: 55 cm
a rare and highly decorative example of venetian artistic cabinetmaking, combining functional furniture design with the sculptural and decorative qualities of a bespoke interior work. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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