Francesco Bolgié

The present pair of corner cupboards is an example of the finest production of furniture created in Turin for the Savoy court in the second half of the 18th century By the Royal wood sculptor Bolgié after the design of the Royal architect Marini. They are finely carved and painted in white and light-green. Opening to reveal utilitarian shelves, the doors are characterised by the same decorative scheme: two cornucopias ripe with fruits at either side, ending into scrolling branches and framing two ornamental themes at centre: a lyre surmounted by the sun in between two oak branches, and a caduceus with a snake in between two olive branches, attributes of Apollo and Mercury respectively. The receding rectangles of the supports contain refined floral festoons held together by silk ribbons. The upper part, just below the marble tops, is decorated with a leaf motif, whilst the lower part presents a beaded frieze. The three tapering conical legs are connected to the main body of the piece through a drum carved with a refined chain motif. The feet end into lovely leaf-shaped sheaths.