Venetian Neo Rococo Dining Set Attributed To Vincenzo Cadorin For Testolini, Circa 1900

Important Venetian dining set comprising one extendable dining table and six matching coeval chairs, dating from the late 19th to the early 20th century, circa 1898–1913.

The set is a remarkable example of Venetian Neo-Rococo / Barocchetto taste enriched by early Art Nouveau, or Stile Liberty, influences. The table is crafted in solid Italian walnut, with the top and apron veneered in richly figured open-match walnut burl. Its most distinctive feature is the extraordinary sculptural carving of the four corner legs, each conceived as a winged swan, a highly refined zoomorphic motif of great decorative strength and rarity.

The sculptural execution is attributed to the artistic workshop of Vincenzo Cadorin, Venice, 1854–1925. A period graphite pencil signature reading “Cadorin” is present on the raw wood underneath the tabletop framework. The table also retains its original commercial paper label of Maison Testolini Frères, Fratelli Testolini, Piazza San Marco, Venice, confirming its prestigious Venetian distribution.

The six matching chairs are coeval with the table and share the same refined Venetian line. They feature elegant shaped backs, cabriole front legs, solid walnut construction, and original dark leatherette upholstery finished with peripheral brass tacks. The underside preserves the traditional structure with jute webbing and hemp twine, documenting the period cabinet-making and upholstery technique.

The table is extendable and fitted with two pull-out leaves of 40 cm each. The wooden guide rails retain their original cabinet-making precision and operate with excellent period tolerances.

This dining set belonged originally to Giovanni Chiesura and Placida Baldan, members of a Venetian family connected with the historic Chiesura family from Chies d’Alpago, Belluno. Between the late 19th and early 20th century, the couple settled in Venice and managed a grocery and colonial goods store in Campo Sant’Angelo, in the Sestiere di San Marco. Following the commercial success of their business, they acquired this important dining suite through the prestigious Fratelli Testolini gallery in Piazza San Marco, most probably as a special commission for their Venetian residence.

Preserved within the family line for over a century, the set represents a rare material testimony of Venetian high craftsmanship during the Belle Époque. It also documents the sophisticated relationship between leading artistic workshops and prestigious commercial galleries in early 20th-century Venice.

A rare and highly decorative dining ensemble, suitable for an important private residence, collector’s interior, or refined gallery setting.

Details

Creator / Attribution: Attributed to the workshop of Vincenzo Cadorin
Commercial Distributor: Maison Testolini Frères, Fratelli Testolini, Piazza San Marco, Venice
Place of Origin: Venice, Italy
Period: Late 19th / Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture: circa 1898–1913
Style: Venetian Neo-Rococo, Barocchetto, Art Nouveau / Stile Liberty
Materials: Solid Italian walnut, walnut burl veneer, hand-carved walnut, leatherette upholstery, brass tacks, jute webbing, hemp twine
Set Includes: One extendable dining table and six matching chairs
Table Extension:cm 105x160 H 80 Two pull-out leaves, 40 cm each
Chairs Dimensions : cm 50x45 H 100/48
Provenance: Giovanni Chiesura and Placida Baldan, Venice; by direct family descent; A&MYART Collections

Condition

Structurally sound and complete. The table retains its original extendable pull-out mechanism with finely preserved wooden guide rails and excellent period cabinet-making tolerances. The chairs are sturdy and preserve their traditional under-seat construction with jute webbing and hemp twine. Upholstery in dark leatherette with brass tacks, showing age consistent with use and period. Wear, patina, small marks and restorations consistent with age and historical use.

Condition report:

HISTORICAL-ARTISTIC CATALOGUING SHEET
OBJECT: Dining set comprising One Extendable Dining Table (with two 40-cm pull-out leaves) and Six Matching Coeval Chairs.

PERIOD AND STYLE
Period: Late 19th Century – Early 20th Century (circa 1898 – 1913).
Style: Venetian Neo-Rococo / Barocchetto with distinct Art Nouveau (Stile Liberty) influences.
Materials & Technique: Solid Italian blonde walnut structure and hand-carvings; table top and aprons veneered in open-match walnut burl (radica di noce).
Chairs feature traditional bottom webbing with jute straps and hemp twine.

MANUFACTURER AND MAKER
Sculptural Execution: Art Workshop of Vincenzo Cadorin (Venice, 1854 – 1925). Distinctive Feature: Extraordinary masterfully carved zoomorphic motif on the four corner legs, depicting a winged Swan.
Proof of Authenticity: Period signature in graphite pencil "Cadorin" on the raw wood underneath the tabletop framework.
Commercial Distribution: Maison Testolini Frères (Fratelli Testolini) – Piazza San Marco, Venice.
Proof of Authenticity: Original commercial paper label affixed to the lower inner framework of the table.

PROVENANCE AND FAMILY HISTORY (PEDIGREE)The furniture set was originally owned by:GIOVANNI CHIESURA & PLACIDA BALDAN
The Owners' Profile: Great-uncle Giovanni Chiesura, a member of the historic Chiesura family originally from Chies d'Alpago (Belluno), relocated to Venice between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Together with his wife, Placida Baldan, he became the proprietor and manager of a historic Grocery and Colonial Goods Store (Drogheria) located in the elegant Campo Sant'Angelo (Sestiere di San Marco, Venice).
The Context of the Purchase: Driven by the economic success of the grocery store, which served the high bourgeoisie and professionals of the San Marco district, the Chiesura couple commissioned the finest parlor set for their Venetian residence. Turning to the prestigious gallery of Fratelli Testolini in Piazza San Marco, they purchased this art lot, handcrafted upon order by the world-renowned workshop of Vincenzo Cadorin.

The Line of Inheritance: The furniture set has been jealously kept and preserved within the core family for over a century, reaching the present day intact through direct ancestral lineage.
TECHNICAL AND CONSERVATION NOTES
Condition of the Table: Structurally sound and complete.
The wooden guide rails of the extendable leaves (pull-out mechanism) retain their flawless period cabinet-making tolerances.
Condition of the Chairs: Six sturdy chairs with matching cabriole front legs.
The under-seat structure is sound, featuring intact jute webbing and original dark leatherette upholstery with peripheral brass tacks.

DOCUMENTARY VALUE
This furniture set represents a very rare and precious material testimony of the Venetian High Craftsmanship of the Belle Époque. It flawlessly documents the high-end art subcontracting system in early 20th-century Venice and embodies the spirit of industry and success of the Chiesura-Baldan family.