23-AL-2006_Nichelino, Palazzina di Caccia di Supinigi, P. Piffetti (attr.), Cassettone, inv. 2348

Facilitated description:

 

The chest of drawers is a wooden cabinet with three drawers and decoration in different types of wood, ivory and gilded bronze.
Pietro Piffetti made the chest of drawers in 1730-1735.
The chest of drawers is kept at the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi in Nichelino.
The La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre restored the chest of drawers between 2006-2007 after the furniture was found. The chest of drawers was stolen in 2004.
The restorers carried out a cleaning (cleaning the surface from the dirt deposited over time).
They have consolidated (made more stable) wooden decorations. 
The chest of drawers had gaps (missing parts) of ivory. 
The restorers integrated (filled a gap in ivory) with recognizable material compared to the original ivory parts.
They integrated (filled) the gaps of the wood with wax and retouched the engravings on the ivory with paint colors.
In the end they painted the chest of drawers to protect it from the sun's rays and dust.

 

 

 

 

Abstract of the intervention:

 

The restoration of the chest of drawers attributed to Pietro Piffetti was completed in 2007 under the supervision of Pinin Brambilla Barcilon. The intervention was carried out on the occasion of the discovery of the nucleus of works stolen from the hunting lodge of Stupinigi in 2004. After the restoration, the work was relocated to the Palazzina.

 

Restoration

The chest of drawers was subjected to disinfestation in the anoxic chamber and anti-moth treatment. Subsequently, the entire surface was cleaned. 
The lastronate and inlaid decorative layer has been consolidated with animal glue and some of the missing ivory inlays have been replaced. Following historical-artistic and diagnostic checks it was decided to integrate the ivory mask placed in the central part of the apron on the basis of the match with the decorative element, almost identical, which is located in the pair of chests of drawers of Piffetti preserved at the Quirinale. 
The plastering on the slabs was made with wax and the engravings on the ivories were taken with paint colors. In agreement with the Works Department, the non-original drawer handles were removed, re-proposing the correct opening of the drawers. The handles were photographed, cleaned and placed inside the drawers. The holes were concealed with wax and retouched with paint colors. Finally, a protective paint was sprayed over the entire surface.

Bibliography 

AAVV., Tab 2 in "The restoration of wooden furnishings. The Piedmontese cabinet-making. Studies and research", C. E. Spantigati, S. De Blasi (edited by), Firenze, Nardini, 2011, pp- 45-53.