Pair of benches from Villa Suvera with coat of arms of the Lucchesi Palli

Extraordinary pair of benches painted in grisaille technique based on motifs from ancient Greece with the coat of arms of the Lucchesi Palli family. The backs on three decorated sides. In the center, two representations of Pegasus flank the coat of arms of the family that owns Villa Suvera. In addition, mythical representations from ancient Greece enrich these paintings. The backs are tight at the back with corresponding grisaille paintings on canvas. The benches have a swivel base and are marked "Apollo" and "Mercurio" and dated on the front panel: 1847. According to our information they were made for a large family celebration at that time.
Siena dated 1847

According to recent research and the kind indications of Dr. Victor Veronesi, it seems that the origin of the manufacture of the two benches goes back to the long preparation of the marriage of Carlo (X), Carlo Alberto Massimo Prince of Arsoli (Rome 3.12.1836 - 21.1.1921) and of Donna Francesca Romana Lucchesi Palli (Graz-Brunsee ? 12.10.1836 - Rome 10.5.1923) in 1860. Donna Francesca Lucchesi Palli was the daughter of Count Ettore Lucchesi Palli, Duke of Grazia (Palermo, 2.10.1806 - Brunsee, 1.4.1864) and Maria Carolina Ferdinanda Luisa Princess of Bourbon Two Sicilies (Naples 5.11.1798 - Brunsee 17.4.1870).
The two benches thus become an important Italian period document, probably created on the occasion of this marriage. It is not unusual for preparations to have begun several years before such an important family event and for the equipment and furnishing of the venue to have already been undertaken.