27-AL-2006_Nichelino, Hunting lodge by Stupinigi, G. B. Galletti, Folding desk, inv. 464

Facilitated description:

 

The folding desk is a piece of furniture in which the writing surface can be opened and closed.
Giovanni Battista Galletti created the desk in 1775 with different materials (wood, ivory, mother-of-pearl and bronze).
The desk is kept at the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi.
The La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre restored the desk in 2006-2007 after the furniture was found. The desk was stolen in 2004.
The restorers have placed the desk in an anoxic chamber (room without oxygen that serves to eliminate insects that feed on wood).
They carried out a cleaning (cleaned the surface from the dirt deposited over time).
The restorers glued the parts of the wooden cladding that were detaching.
The desk had gaps (missing parts) of wood. 
The restorers integrated (filled with wood and beeswax) the wood gaps.
They rebuilt the part around the lock of the first drawer.
At the dine they painted the desk to protect it from the sun's rays and dust.

 

 

 

 

Abstract of the intervention:

 

The restoration of Giovan Battista Galletti's flap desk 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 work underwent disinfestation in the anoxic chamber for a period of three weeks. Subsequently, atmospheric deposits and impurities were removed with brushes and vacuum cleaners. The surface was cleaned with water and alcohol. The lifts were made to adhere with animal glue, while the additions were made with essences of ebony, rosewood and boxwood. For the most obvious gaps, plastering with pigmented beeswax was carried out. The missing nozzle from the first drawer has been rebuilt in gilded brass. Finally, all over the surface was itself a protective film.

 

Bibliography

- S. De Blasi, Sheet 10, in "The restoration of wooden furnishings. The Piedmontese cabinet-making: studies and research", edited by C. E. Spantigati, S. De Blasi, Firenze, Nardini, 2011, pp. 146-149.