Adam's Country House Collections At Townley Hall 11th October 2016 : You can Download a PDF Version from the Bottom Menu Down Arrow Icon

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of shaped rectangular form, upholstered in green silk damask, on
well carved cabriole legs on scroll feet. 100 x 58cm
€ 2,000 - 3,000
the shaped panel backs above dished solid panel seats
on shaped supports with stretcher
€ 2,000 - 3,000
Sgabello is derived from the Latin word ‘scabellum’
meaning ‘stool’. This type of chair was based on a simple
medieval design, however more elaborately decorated
models became particularly associated with Venice in
the 17th Century. Their popularity extended throughout
Europe in later decades. With its low octagonal seat and
thin, elongated back these chairs were not designed
for comfort. They were typically placed in corridors or
hallways or in an Italian context, along the walls of a
portego. Generally made of walnut, sgabelli were often
carved with decoration on the back, sides of the seat,
and feet so the chair could be moved around a room to
fit whatever function necessary and maintain a level of
attraction at any given angle. In addition to the decora-
tion, it was not uncommon that sgabelli also featured an
imprese or an emblem drawn from a family’s coat-of-
arms.