Venetian bench or daybed; c. 1760.

Venetian bench or daybed; c. 1760.
Walnut; biscuit-style upholstery with burlap padding.
Measurements: 54 x 145 x 50 cm.

A three-seater Venetian canapé, featuring a Rococo-inspired structure and sinuous lines, characteristic of mid-18th-century Italian cabinetmaking. It features an openwork (a giorno) backrest, articulated by three undulating arches that create a composition of interlaced volutes and oval shapes, with a slightly raised central crest. The armrests, with an open and curvilinear profile, organically extend the movement of the backrest and are topped with volutes resting on sinuous supports. The continuous seat, traditionally constructed with burlap padding, retains its checkerboard upholstery pattern, while the lower skirt, with a scalloped profile, features discreet carved ornamentation. It rests on cabriole legs that accentuate the visual lightness of the piece and the continuity of its curved lines.

The piece belongs to the so-called Venetian Barocchetto style, a decorative language developed in Italy during the 18th century that combines the exuberance of the late Baroque with the elegance and lightness of the Rococo. Canapés of this type were intended for the salons and reception areas of aristocratic residences, where they served as central elements in the arrangement of the furnishings.