Painted Chest – Tyrol 1791

Tyrolean painted chest dated 1791, made of fir wood, decorated with a faux marble ground and floral motifs.

Technical Information:

Code: C213
Period: 1791
Origin: Tyrol
Wood: Fir
Height: 76 cm (29.9 in)
Width: 137 cm (53.9 in)
Depth: 62 cm (24.4 in)

Description:

Tyrolean chest in fir wood, dated 1791, representative of Alpine furniture between the late 18th century and the early 19th century. The structure is rectangular, with a shaped base and a front articulated into three painted panels; the hinged lid features a linear profile with a slightly projecting edge.
The painted decoration is executed in casein, a technique widely used in Alpine furniture for its durability and matte appearance.
The structural ground of the piece and the painted frames are finished in a cool, muted opaque green, identifiable as a sage green with grey undertones, achieved through mineral-based pigments bound with casein. The tone shows a slightly bluish component, further softened over time by natural aging and wear, contributing to a sober and uniform chromatic effect.
The front panels feature a cream-ivory ground treated with a faux marble motif, created through irregular glazing and subtle chromatic modulations that simulate a marbled surface, adding visual depth while maintaining a restrained and functional aesthetic.
Each panel displays a vertically arranged stylized floral motif, enclosed within hand-drawn frames. These frames, painted in green, feature simplified scrolls and curvilinear lines, framing the central decoration and balancing ornament and painted surface.
The central panel retains the original wrought-iron escutcheon for the lock, a functional element integrated into the decorative design. The key and lock are also original and in working condition.
The chest rests on a lowered and shaped lower band, carved from the same fir wood as the structure. The base features a continuous curvilinear profile with soft curves and symmetrical recesses, visually lightening the base while maintaining structural integrity.
This band is finished in the same greyed sage green casein paint as the sides and painted panel frames and is further enriched with stylized floral motifs and the date placed at the center.
The surfaces display a consistent patina, with abrasions, thinning of the painted layer, and signs of use consistent with the age of the piece. The chest was intended for storing linens and textiles, serving both a functional and symbolic role within the domestic interior.

Restoration work carried out on all our furniture:

– Structural restoration: reintegration of small missing parts, closure of any cracks on the back panel, consolidation of deteriorated areas, inspection and repair of the metal fittings.
– Careful anti-woodworm treatment.
– Cleaning and sanitization of the interior.
– External finish with natural beeswax.
– Internal finish with shellac, a natural alcohol-based varnish.

Customizations:

Upon request, it is possible to arrange:

– the desired level of restoration;
– interior customization (addition of hanging rails, shelves, dividers, etc.).