Master Art

Made in 1788 for the personal use of King Vittorio Amedeo III of Savoy the immediate successor to Pietro Piffetti as principal cabinet-maker to the King (Primo ebanista di S.R. Maesta) on the latter’s death on 6th May 1777.

The rectangular top with rounded corners with a central oval reserve bearing a complex trophy symbolising the triumph of love comprising a crossed quiver and flaming torch with Cupid’s bow on a laurel branch and two doves in ivory, one clasping a bunch of grapes, the trophy on an amaranth ground within a pear-wood reserve with kingwood spandrels and cross-banding in various woods, the front and back of the piece ornamented with similar trophies within reserves with greek-key panels above and below, the sides decorated with oval foliate rosettes, the front with a slide above two drawers sans traverse fitted for a collection of veneer samples, the right hand side with a frieze drawer with ink and sander compartment, the rounded corners decorated with garlanded flambeaux, on turned tapering legs, the fluting simulated in scorched sycamore veneers with ormolu ring-capitals and toupie feet with casters.