In the style of Valentino Panciera Besarel, ca. 1880

In the style of VALENTINO PANCIERA BESAREL (Zoldo, Belluno, 1829 – Venice, 1902).
Living room set consisting of a sofa and a pair of armchairs, ca. 1880.
Carved walnut. Seats upholstered in silk, with spring padding and braided trim.
In good overall condition, with subtle cracks consistent with its age.
Measurements: 78 x 60 x 60 cm (armchairs); 78 x 100 x 60 cm (sofa)

A late 19th-century living room set that reflects the ornamental richness of Italian historicist furniture, closely linked to the revival of the Venetian Baroque carving tradition. Its craftsmanship stands out for the sculptural treatment of the wood and the combination of figurative and plant motifs, characteristics akin to the style developed by Valentino Panciera Besarel.

All three pieces feature open backs, articulated by turned elements and elaborate openwork panels carved with acanthus leaves and volutes. Particularly distinctive are the child’s heads crowning the backs, framed by radial motifs and scrollwork ornamentation. The set is part of the Neo-Baroque style that became widely popular among European elites when Italian workshops revived the ornamental models of the 17th and 18th centuries to create ceremonial furniture.

Valentino Panciera Besarel was one of the leading exponents of Italian ornamental carving. Trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, he was highly active as a sculptor and cabinetmaker, drawing particular inspiration from the legacy of Andrea Brustolon. His Venetian workshop achieved international recognition, participating in world’s fairs and receiving commissions from the Italian royal family. His work is represented in institutions such as the Borgogna Museum in Vercelli and the Correr Museum in Venice.