Marquetry Panel: Woman and Eros

Part of a pair of panels by Francesco Abbiati Research for this exhibition has led to the exciting discovery of these two previously unrecorded pieces by the Italian cabinet maker Francesco Abbiati (flourished between 1780 and1800. Abbiati produced works for the courts of Naples and Madrid, and The Bowes Museum has one of only four known pieces signed by Abbiati. The only other example in a public institution is a table at the J Paul Getty Museum. The panel depicting two women is signed Fran.?/Abbiati on the table leg. The print source is from Nicolas Ponce, Description des Bains de Titus, published in 1786. The second panel shows a woman and a winged male figure, presumably Eros, at her side. Each panel is decorated with marquetry of several woods. The sections of veneer are quite large in scale. Movement is created by engraving and cross-hatching the marquetry's surface. The frames are mid 19th century additions, and are very similar to frames used on Josephine Bowes' own paints. It is possibly that these were hung in her private homes before being destined for Museum. Pendant to W.122 Size: Height: 94 cm; Width: 63.5 cm.

Collection

Bowes Museum

Inventory Number

1574605

Title

Marquetry Panel: Woman and Eros

Object Type

Image

Measurements

-