A HARDWOOD BONE, RESIN AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL-INLAID ORIENTALIS...

Estimate

£10,000 - £15,000

A HARDWOOD BONE, RESIN AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL-INLAID ORIENTALIST CABINET BY GIUSEPPE PARVIS
ITALY OR EGYPT, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY A rectangular-shaped chest, with bracket feet, in three sections, the bottom section featuring two large drawers adorned with inlaid bone, ebonised wood and celluloid panels, decorated with decorative bands resembling calligraphy reminding decorative Kufic script; the middle section featuring a Hispano-Moresque style with two horseshoe-shaped arches surmounted by an openwork railing, nestled within are six smaller drawers also adorned with bone, ebonised wood and celluloid in thuluth script, geometric and star-shaped designs inlaid with mother-of-pearl decorations at the back,; the top featuring two final drawers adorned with decorative elements made from ebonised wood, the very top boasting a balustrade culminating in a roundel bearing the name of the artist (Giuseppe Parvis - Yusef Parvis) in the tughra style,
178.5cm x 115cm x 53.5cm
Parvis was born into a humble background in Lomellina, Piedmont, Italy in 1831. Despite his rural beginnings, he pursued artistic endeavors, completing his studies at the prestigious Accademia Albertina in Turin. Driven by a desire to practice sculpture and engraving, he moved to Paris after graduation. However, success in these fields proved elusive, leading him to seek a fresh start in 1859. This pivotal decision saw him relocate to Cairo, Egypt, where his skills as a cabinetmaker flourished. His talent quickly garnered the attention of the local governor, Isma'il, solidifying his reputation in his new home.
Parvis' true claim to fame, however, stemmed from his innovative "Parvis style." This style embodied a captivating fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics. He drew inspiration from the intricate geometric patterns and design elements that characterized Arab art, seamlessly blending them with the long-standing Italian tradition of fine carpentry and furniture making. This unique approach garnered international recognition at the prestigious Universal Expositions. The pinnacle of his success arrived in 1867 when his exotic design for the Egyptian pavilions at the Paris Exposition earned him the coveted Gold Medal. This achievement was followed by a string of accolades at subsequent Expositions in Philadelphia (1876), Milan (1881), and Turin (1884). Through his ground-breaking work, Giuseppe Parvis became a celebrated figure, leaving a lasting legacy on the world of design.
For similar item, please see Enrico Colle, Il Mobile dell'Ottocento in Italia: Arredi e Decorazioni d'Interni dal 1815 al 1900, 2007, pp. 138 - 143.
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