Pair of chest of drawers

GIUSEPPE COLOMBO known as IL MORTARINO

Cabinet maker active in Milan in the second half of the 18th century

PAIR OF DRAWERS IN WALNUT BRIAR, BOIS DE ROSE AND BOSSO 1770 -1775

Cm 90h x 132 x 65

The drawers gently rounded on the front and on the sides, are equipped with three drawers with a crosspiece, one of which is smaller placed to support the top. One of the two large drawers, in the small drawer hides a mixtilinear chest of drawers at the bottom made up of five small drawers of various sizes. The edge of the top is enriched by a crosswise thread in boxwood, while the rocaille motif handles are in gilded bronze.
The elegant “pel de rava” (turnip skin) decoration frames all parts of the chest of drawers and is carried out with calligraphic subtlety, tracing the decorative motifs in vogue at the time. The bois de rose inlay is well perforated and finely shaded, creating three-dimensionality and colors, thus the cabinetmaker dominates even the smallest detail. The high quality finish of the details and the refined taste in the choice of fine wood allow us to understand that we are facing a skilled master, able to perfectly master the technique.

The two drawers can be compared with the chest of drawers signed by Giuseppe Colombo, in 1774, now in a private collection. Due to the same technical and stylistic affinities, it is therefore possible to safely attribute the authorship of the two drawers to Mortarino (probably so called because he was originally from Mortara). On the latter we have little biographical information available, but sufficient to frame it in the right historical period: its name appears for the first time above the books of the Universities of the Supreme Council (arch. Of Milan) in which it is mentioned among the Legnamari; it is subsequently documented in the demolition deed of the University of Legnamari, on 11 January 1773, this document is essential because it provides us with information about the location of his workshop located in Porta Ticinese in Milan.