Italian, Veneto
Two Nightstands (Comodini), late 18th century
Painted and gilded pine, 78.2 x 61.3 x 41.2 cm (30 13/16 x 24 1/8 x 16 1/4 in.)
These two nightstands date from the late 18th century in Italy and are made of painted and gilded pine. The cabinets are painted in creamy white with some of the molding and carving highlighted with gilding. The drawer fronts and the side panels have richly articulated leaf moldings. The fronts bow out slightly while the sides taper towards the front in a subtle s-curve. The posts and rails are carved with leaves. At the center of the bottom rail is a carved male head in profile framed with delicate carved scrolls. The legs are fluted and taper down to brackets, carved with leaves that rest on ball feet. One chest has three drawers. The front of the other chest is a door with a false front. The top swings back to reveal a blue painted interior with spaces for a chamber pot and washcloths.
Titian Room
Commentary
Painted a creamy white, these two nightstands have a restrained elegance typical of Neoclassical taste in Vencie and the Veneto. The fronts bow out slightly while the sides taper towards the front in a subtle s-curve. The fluted legs taper down to brackets, carved with leaves, that rest on ball feet. The posts and rails are also carved with leaves. At the center of the bottom rail is a male head in profile, framed by delicate scolls. The drawer fronts and the side panels have richly articulated leaf moldings. The cabinets are painted in creamy white, with some of the molding and carving highlighted with gilding.
One chest has three drawers. The front of the other is a door with a false front. Its top swings back to reveal a blue-painted interior with spaces for a chamer pot and washcloths. The two commodes were entirely repainted and re-gilded in the nineteenth century. The iron locks are original, but the handles and escutcheons appear to be replacements. F26n3.1 is missing a handle, while F26n3.2 has a replacement handle at lower right.
One chest has three drawers. The front of the other is a door with a false front. Its top swings back to reveal a blue-painted interior with spaces for a chamer pot and washcloths. The two commodes were entirely repainted and re-gilded in the nineteenth century. The iron locks are original, but the handles and escutcheons appear to be replacements. F26n3.1 is missing a handle, while F26n3.2 has a replacement handle at lower right.