42-AL-2006_Nichelino, Stupinigi Hunting Lodge, L. Prinotto, Mazzarina Desk, inv. 2423

Facilitated description:

 

The mazzarina desk is a type of desk named after Cardinal Giulio Raimondo Mazzarino.
Luigi Prinotto made the desk in 1720-1730 with different materials (wood and ivory).
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 themselves with the brush a product against xylophagous insects (insects that feed on wood). 
They carried out a cleaning (cleaned the surface from the dirt deposited over time or from the layers of old restorations).
They glued the parts of wood that were coming off.
The desk had gaps (missing parts) in the wood. 
The restorers integrated (filled the wood gaps) with wood similar to 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 Luigi Prinotto's mazzarina 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 Palace of Stupinigi in 2004. After the restoration, the work was relocated to the Palazzina.

 

Restoration

The desk underwent disinfestation in the anoxic chamber for a period of three weeks and treatment with an anti-moth product. A cleaning was then carried out to eliminate atmospheric deposits and the waxy surface layer no longer suitable. Subsequently, cruises, veneer lifts and tarsia lifts were consolidated. Then the missing tiles of the decoration were integrated with the same wood essences and stuccoed the gaps.
In agreement with the Works Management it was decided to remove the two non-coeval brass nozzles and to integrate with the same wood essence. Finally, a final protective coating was carried out.

 

Bibliography

 AAVV, Sheet 9, 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. 141-144.