A beautiful carved antique fruitwood grotto stool, polychrome-decorated, the bench standing on cabriole legs joined with a bottom stretcher, and bun feet reminiscent of animal paws made in Venice around the turn of the 19th century. The seat has a "rocaille" or shell-shaped motif over an adjustable swivel mechanism for comfortable seating as a piano stool but would look equally beautiful as a stand-alone item of furniture.

Furniture makers in Venice were very prolific in their seating designs and were particularly known for chairs that had nautical themes. Shells, coral, dolphins and seahorses were often sculpted into chairs that took inspiration from the designs of Venetian grottoes. The Italian grotto style peaked during the nineteenth century, and furniture was created to reflect this passion for nautical themes. From the mid to late nineteenth century, furniture makers in Venice fashioned furniture based on the feel of the grotto, creating an eclectic mix of Renaissance and Rococo inspired sculpted imagery. The nineteenth century Venetian grotto furniture was aimed to be sold to visitors on their European tour. The Venetian grotto stool incorporates ideas of the Rococo period as well as nautical themes that were popular during the nineteenth century, creating a stool that is captivating as well as beautifully detailed. 

Condition: very good, some losses to the gold leaf as can be expected with occasional use over the years

Dimensions: 47cm deep, 43cm wide, 58cm high fully extended, 45cm high at its lowest