28-AL-2006_Nichelino, Hunting Lodge of Stupinigi, Folding desk with lift, inv. 714

Facilitated description: 

 

The folding desk is a piece of furniture with a writing surface that can be opened and closed.
The desk was made in 1770-1780 and has an inlay decoration, that is, created with different types of wood.
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.
Before the restoration, the scientists of the Venaria Center did a CT scan (scientific analysis to study the internal structure of the works).
The restorers have placed the desk in an anoxic chamber (room without oxygen that serves to eliminate insects that feed on wood).
They detached and repaired two broken supports and eliminated the traces of the old glue.
The restorers cleaned the desk and glued the raised parts.
They rebuilt the missing parts with the same wood as the original.
In the end, they painted the desk to protect it from the sun's rays and dust.

 

 

 

 

Abstract of the intervention:

 

The restoration of the desk with one-door lift 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 Palace of Stupinigi in 2004. After the restoration, the work was relocated to the Palazzina.

 

Restoration

Before the restoration on the desk was carried out the CT scan, in this way it was possible to deepen the study of the internal structure.
The operation began with disinfestation in the anoxic chamber for three weeks. Subsequently it was itself an anti-moulding product in the internal parts.
The cleaning and consolidation of the slabs were followed. The integrations were carried out with wood of the same wood essence.
The two legs that had a break in the upper part were dismantled, the tenon and the mortar were cleaned of the old glue and relocated correctly.
The metal parts were then cleaned. Finally, it was itself a protective over the entire surface. 

 

Bibliography

- S. De Blasi, Sheet 11, 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. 169-172.