Tuscany 2nd half 16th century
A Tuscan Cornice alla Sansovino
Carved and stained softwood, polychromy, gilding over red bole and silver plating over black bole.. An important and imposing carved Mannerist frame of complex architectural design. Carved with two putto to the upper and two winged female caryatids to the lower section.
The head of one putto replaced. Height 134, Width 114 cm, inner dimensions 98 x 82 cm..
The origin of this type of frame is generally localised to Venice and is linked with the architectural designs of the architect Jacopo Sansovino, who was active in this city from 1527 until his death in 1570 - specifically his architectural scheme for the scala d´oro in the Doge's palace. Frames of this type are found frequently in Venice, but not all are directly attributable to Sansovino himself. A London exhibition in 2015 proposed Alessandro Vittoria (1525 - 1608), the most talented sculptor in Sansovino's workshop, as the artist responsible for this ornamental design.
According to Lodi/Montanari the present example can be localised in Tuscany. The element that sets this work most directly apart from the traditional parcel gilt carved walnut examples of this type is the naturalistic polychromy of the figures. Very few frames of this era have been published in which the naturalistic figures contrast so starkly with the architectural elements.
Provenance
Villa Stella Maris, Camogli. - Auctioned by Finarte, Arredi e dipinti antichi provenienti dalla Villa Stella Maris die Camogli on 18th October 1995. - Private collection, Italy
Literature
Illus. in: Lodi/ Montanari, Repertorio della Cornice Europea, Modena 2003, no. 211.
Cf. also cat.: The Sansovino Frame, National Gallery London 2015.