Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

λ AN ITALIAN CARVED WOOD 'MICROSCULTURA' RONDEL

ATTRIBUTED TO GIUSEPPE MARIA BONZANIGO (ITALIAN 1744-1820), LATE 18TH CENTURY

of walnut and limewood on an ebony ground, depicting a classical urn of flowers, birds, leaves and a staff, in a moulded gilt slip and a rosewood frame

the rondel: 7cm diameter

Catalogue Note

Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo was born in Asti in 1744 to a family of cabinetmakers. He learnt his trade initially from his father's workshop but moved to Turin in 1773. He worked as a sculptor and a cabinet maker with a large workshop supplying the Court of Savoy and other notable patrons. He was justly famed for the breathtaking finesse of his 'microsculture'.

For a similar rondel see Sotheby's, Paris, 8th November 2012, lot 55.