Lot 494: AN ITALIAN CARVED WOOD "MICROSCULTURA" RELIEF, FROM THE WORKSHOP OF GIUSEPPE MARIA BONZANIGO (1745-1820), FIRST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY, TURIN

AN ITALIAN CARVED WOOD "MICROSCULTURA" RELIEF, FROM THE WORKSHOP OF GIUSEPPE MARIA BONZANIGO (1745-1820), FIRST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY, TURIN inscribed TEMPLVM VIRTVTIS , in glazed shadowbox wood frame. to outer frame: height 10 1/2 in., width 14 3/4 in.; 26.7, 37.5 cm

The ornate Neoclassical microsculture by Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo incorporate trophies, architectural elements, and rich ornamentation. In addition to his commemorative portraits of royalty and notable persons, he also composed architectural caprices such as the present 'Temple of Virtue', impressive in their extraordinary detail and delightful in their amusing vignettes such as the animal heads in the border of this charming relief. These were most often composed of blond wood over black backgrounds, sometimes incorporating variously-colored woods and ivory.

For additional biographical information and related literature see lot 492.