Attributed to Ferdinando Pogliani

Attributed to FERDINANDO POGLIANI (Milan, 1832–1899)
Sideboard or buffet.
Ebonized ribera wood, ebony veneer, ivory inlay.
Shows signs of restoration.
Comes with a CITES certificate issued by Italy.
Measurements: 217 x 118 x 50 cm.
A monumental sideboard or buffet, organized into two superimposed sections and topped by an architectural structure featuring curved elements and decorative pinnacles. It features a dark, ebonized wood surface, enriched with ivory inlays that create striking ornamental hallmarks.The lower section features doors decorated with geometric compositions and plant motifs, while the upper section has a more complex structure, with architectural panels, pilasters, medallions, and a central figure framed by Renaissance-inspired ornamentation. The upper finial, with curved forms and turned elements, reinforces its monumental appearance.
The attribution to Ferdinando Pogliani is based on the coincidence of several technical and stylistic features with his work. Notable features include the use of ebonized wood, ebony, and ivory inlays—characteristic of his furniture—as well as the monumental architectural structure, inspired by Renaissance and Baroque models. The decoration, featuring geometric and plant motifs as well as human figures, together with the precision of the inlays, reflects the high level of craftsmanship in his workshop. Furthermore, the piece fits within the tradition of historicist cabinetmaking that developed in Milan during the 19th century.
Ferdinando Pogliani was one of the most prominent cabinetmakers in nineteenth-century Milan. Pogliani was active during the second half of the nineteenth century and gained recognition for crafting furniture of great technical and ornamental complexity. His work was characterized by the use of dark woods, particularly ebony and ebonized surfaces, combined with inlays of ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, and semi-precious stones.His furniture drew inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque models, incorporating architectural elements, human figures, mythical creatures, mythological motifs, and botanical compositions. The quality of his work lay both in the richness of the materials and in the precision of the carving and inlay techniques. His workshop was supported by his sons, particularly Paolo and Carlo, who specialized in sculpture and marquetry, respectively. This family-run operation made it possible to create highly complex pieces of furniture that required the collaboration of various artisanal specialties. Pogliani participated in numerous national and international exhibitions during the last third of the 19th century, contributing to the recognition of Milanese cabinetmaking. His work became a benchmark for Italian historicist furniture.