Pair of Early 19th Century Italian Inlaid Chairs

This pair of early 19th century Italian chairs is richly decorated with marquetry. The H-shaped spacer is extremely well-crafted with a disc crossing. The rounded X formed by the legs gives movement to the whole. The seat is square and the rectangular base backrest end at the top with a stylized circle arc. It is separated from the crossbars of the backrest by a gap. The motifs are made in marquetry, mother of pearl or ivory elements are inlaid in the wood. These inlays are geometric and create arabesque vegetal motifs on the uprights as well as on the seat. The backrest is particularly elaborated with a circular shape at the bottom that is created by the various inlays. The most remarkable part remains the centre of the backrest with a cartouche inside a mandorla containing the drawing of a man dressed in Renaissance fashion and armed. Since the motifs respond to each other when the chairs are placed opposite each other, this is a conversation. These two figures appear to be aristocrats, lords or knights.

Pogliano's workshop is named after Fernando Pogliano, an Italian cabinetmaker. His workshop was located in Milan and he worked there with his two sons. His monumental Renaissance-inspired creations earned him great recognition in the world of decorative arts. The luxurious craftsmanship of his furniture led him to become the cabinetmaker of choice for many great Italian families. His furniture, often made of ebony, is inlaid with mother of pearl, ivory or precious or semi-precious stones. Through his work in marquetry and wood inlay, Pogliani is positioned as the heir to the sumptuous Florentine furniture of the 16th and 17th centuries.