A pair of Roman rococo carved giltwood and painted consoles d'applique, by Nicola Carletti, Rome, circa 1770

the marble veneered top inset with a gilt-bronze border

Gallery Franco Di Castro, Rome

The illustration of the catalogue is dull by comparison to reality. More vibrant in reality. The marble tops: There are minor chips to the marble tops with minute losses. The giltwood and painted wood: There are the inevitable dents, marks, cracks and scratches due to age and use. There are chips and losses to the painting and to the gilding. There are some losses to the leaves. Some elements have been broken and restored, some other have been glued. There are old traces of woodworms. Console 1: There are restorations to the left hand side arm of the left winged triton. The right hand side hand of the left winged triton has been broken, restored and partly regilt. The head of the right winged triton has been broken and reglued. Console 2: There are less accidents than the other one. Overall impressive and important works of art with an almost certainly provenance from the Villa Chigi on the Salaria. In reality much more attractive than the pictures.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This pair of consoles d'applique, en suite with lot 11 can be firmly attributed to Nicola Carletti, the foremost Roman carver of the Rococo period (see also lot 14, an armchair). Supporting this attribution are characteristic elements found in his documented work at Villa Chigi on the Salaria, whose contents were dispersed on the open market in the 1960s, such as the unusual ribbon-tied banding below the marble top, the polychrome carving of foliage and creeping vines in bloom indicate a possible provenance from the villa, where this pair of consoles would have splendidly blended in the exquisitely painted interiors together with the above-mentioned banquettes (lot 11) and the console table sold Sotheby's London, A Tale of Two Cities, 9 June 2015, lot 132 (reproduced here in fig. 1) all of which were probably commissioned by Cardinal Flavio II Chigi in 1768-70.