This gilded, carved picture frame depicts the legend of Paris. The maker was Filippo Parodi, who was perhaps the best known Genoese carver of the late 17th century, and he worked in Bernini's studio.
As well as the sculptural style figures, the frame also includes foliage and shell motifs, which were very popular throughout the 17th century. The portrait is by Pierre Mignard and shows Maria Mancini.
Walnut Armorial Cassone
The raised lid is carved with a design of beads, leaves and a fish scale type pattern, while the front and ends of the cassone (chest) retain mannerist features typical of the Renaissance period - strapwork decoration and segmented panels.
The cassone stands on paw feet and bears the coat of arms of the Guicciardini family from Florence. These chests were quite often given as wedding presents.
Andrea Brustolon
Renowned for fantastic carved furniture, Andrea Brusolon (1662-1732) was a pupil of the Genoese sculptor Filippo Parodi.
Originally trained as a stone carver, Brustolon took up wood carving and created many different types of fitted and non fitted furniture, ranging from frames, to stands and to tables. He is best known really for his extravagantly carved chairs, which were designed more as works of art than as comfortable seating.
Few pieces have survived today, but several of his drawings have. It is likely that Brustolon travelled to Rome during his apprenticeship. In keeping with the Roman style of the time, Brustolon's furniture is naturalistic and quite often allegorical, with figural supports, exuberant foliage and animals.
Parodi's influence is very evident.
Florentine Console Table
This table would have been made of carved and gilded wood, the top is supported by kneeling mythological figures known as harpies.
The figures are muscular, in keeping with the bold, masculine Baroque style. The theme is borrowed from contemporary Roman designs - although these harpies are more restrained than examples from Rome.
Florentine Cabinet
This cabinet, produced in the Grand Ducal workshops in Florence, is decorated with pietra dura panels depicting mythological scenes.
The architectural influence on Italian Baroque handmade furniture design can be seen in the use of pilasters, arched panels, and pediments - in the structural form of the piece. Mythology was an extremely common theme for decoration, and the meanings would have been widely understood.
Walnut Table
The octagonal table top rests on triform supports, which terminate in male terms (stylized human figures) carved with scrolling foliage - on paw feet.
The top of the supports have a square panel centred by a wine glass and an illegible inscription.
Lion Commode
The commode is made of walnut with exquisite inlays of ivory and mother of pearl, this depicts images of vanity, justice and other allegorical figures, surrounded by putti, flowers, leaves, cartouches and volutes.
The sides are sloped and decorated with inlay and gilding. The front of the commode is bow shaped and has three drawers and iron fittings.
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