A private modenese collection

Auction Preview | Press Release | Published on 23/09/2022

The core of the fall auction dedicated to antique furniture and old master paintings is the important private collection from Modena


which inaugurates four whole days of sales at Il Ponte (11, 12, 13, 14 October 2022), taking up two entire auction sessions alone. The common denominator in this composite collection of over two hundred items is the territory of Emilia, thus manifesting a specific attention on the part of the owners to the skilled craftsmanship developed within the Estense courtfitte.






Lot 269 An early 17th-century Emilian large walnut veneered sideboard
with lost-wax bronze cherub heads (cm 193x108x70)
Estimate € 6,000 - 7,000





Lot 276 An 18th-century Emilian various woods carved,
veneered and threaded fall-front bureau (cm 160x120x63).
Estimate € 18,000 - 20,000



There are in fact numerous pieces of antique furniture that, covering a vast time span from the 16th to the 19th century, reflect stylistic features and influences that were particularly appreciated in the Duchy of Modena: from the 17th century Bolognese walnut table with a rectangular shape and three under-top drawers (lot 268, estimate € 4,200 - 4,400), to the walnut sideboard in rectangular shape with front and sides decorated with studs (lot 269, estimate € 6,000 - 7,000), to continue with the mirror in carved and gilded wood with volute and floral decoration (lot 206, estimate € 1,200 - 1,400) and end up in the precious flap table panelled and threaded in various woods from the 18th century (lot 276, estimate € 18,000 - 20,000)

From the workshops of Rolo, located in the lowlands of Reggio Emilia, come several examples from the late 18th century such as the walnut chest of drawers decorated with geometric reserves, floral and two-ring vases (lot 80, estimate € 1,800 - 2,000) and the toilet cabinet panelled in various woods, star motifs and stylised scrolls (lot 203, estimate € 550 - 600).





Lot 206 A carved and gilt wooden mirror
(cm 117x110), Modena XVIII century.
Estimate € 1,200 - 1,400





Lot 80 A late 18th-century Emilian walnut and various woods veneered, inlaid and threaded commode
with geometric, floral and vases motifs (cm 129x93x53,5).
Estimate € 1,800 - 2,000



From the art of cabinetry making to the art of metal casting with the large two-handled bronze mortar signed and dated in the central band "Andrea Ambrosini 1844" (lot 66, estimate € 450 - 500), the two sculptures mutually representing a "winged victory" (lot 97, estimate € 800 - 1,000) and a "Bacchante" by Giacomo Colombo (lot 100, estimated value € 600 - 700); and again, the group of four finely chiselled candlesticks by silversmith Giuseppe Brusa (lot 275, estimated € 6,500 - 7,000), to the 20th century déco with an emblematic sculpture of a woman lying in front of an antelope signed Fayral, which enriches the collection of a typically Emilian taste with other European craftsmen (lot 19, estimated value € 350 - 400).






Lot 97 Master of the early 20th century,
"Winged Victory" bronze sculpture (h. cm 70).
Estimate € 800 - 1,000





Lot 275 Group of four 19th-century Milanese silver four-light candelabras
decorated with plant elements. Silversmith Giuseppe Brusa (h. cm 60) (g 7540)
Estimate € 6,500 - 7,000 


Among the curiosities in the auction is a characteristic and colourful collection of spheres made of marble, quartz and semi-precious stones.




Lot 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Collection of twelve marble, quartz and pietra dura spheres
Estimate € 120 - 150 each.

Painting also finds its own prominent place in the collection, through numerous artists with strong Emilian roots, among whom Gaetano Gandolfi stands out for his notoriety, with an unpublished Madonna and Child from 1763 (lot 278, estimate € 26,000 - 28,000). In addition, there is a large gallery of works from different periods, schools and genres: from the oil on panel depicting a Madonna and Child with St. John by a Tuscan Master from the 16th century (lot 277, estimate € 19,000 - 20,000), to the pair of architectures by a Flemish Master working in Italy in the mid-17th century (lot 274, estimate € 4,200 - 4,400)






Lot 278 Gaetano Gandolfi (San Matteo della Decima  1734 - Bologna  1802 )
Madonna and Child oil on shaped canvas, 97.5x68.5 cm. 
Estimate € 26,000 - 28,000





Lot 277 Tuscan master, 16th century
Madonna and Child and the infant Saint John
Oil on panel, 77x58 cm.
Estimate € 19,000 - 20,000






Lot 274 North European school, second half 17th century
Palace hall with figures pair of paintings, oil on canvas, 97x133 cm. 
Estimate € 4,200 - 4,400






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