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Rare and refined Friulian walnut sideboard – Late 16th to early 17th century
A rare and refined solid walnut sideboard, featuring two doors and a single drawer, made in Friuli in the early 17th century, during a transitional period between the rigorous forms of the Renaissance and the first expressions of the Baroque. An authentic example of rustic learned furniture, representative of the artisanal tradition of the Friulian Prealps – a region historically situated at the crossroads between the Latin and Germanic worlds.
The sober structure, defined by its pure and austere lines, is contrasted by a structured carved decoration of rosettes and vegetal motifs, creating a dynamic play of light and shadow that gives depth and movement to the surface.
This carving is not merely decorative; it is a synthesis of artistic, religious, and folk influences that give Friulian furniture its distinctive identity – sober yet cultivated, functional yet rich in meaning.
The use of axe and gouge is clearly visible in the irregular and roughly-hewn surfaces, bearing the tangible marks of manual craftsmanship. The sides, each made from a single walnut plank and left plain, reflect the coherence with the rustic-monastic tradition of the region.
The drawer front features an incised motif of three rosettes connected by leafy scrolls – a recurring decorative element typical of the Gemonese and Carnia valleys, and considered a true “signature of origin.”
Fully intact and entirely original, the piece has undergone a conservative restoration aimed at preserving its beautiful antique patina, enhancing both the authenticity of the material and the integrity of its handmade construction.
In 17th-century Friuli, most woodworkers came from workshops that primarily served churches, convents, and rural parishes. As a result, baroque iconography and ornamentation – rosettes, volutes, floral and scrollwork motifs – migrated from sacred furnishings to civil ones, intended for parish contexts or rural noble residences.
This sideboard, while sober, is highly expressive. It fits perfectly in historic interiors, yet can also harmoniously dialogue with minimalist spaces, serving as a focal point rich in character and history.
A rare piece, comparable to examples held in major regional museums – such as the Museo Carnico in Tolmezzo and the Museo Etnografico del Friuli in Udine – ideal for collectors and connoisseurs seeking an ancient work of art that embodies the essence of history through the living strength of wood and the allure of a deep patina, with hues ranging from amber to the richest browns – a beauty that only centuries can create.
- Material: solid walnut wood
- Size: cm 130 x 67 x 108h
- Condition: Restored
- Period: 17th century
- Style: Baroque
- State: Optimal conditions
