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Baroque Italian Headboard Italy ca. 1948 Expertly carved and gilded in the late 1940s by one of Florence's premier artigiani (artisans), after a piece in an 18th-century Florentine palace. The delicate woodwork is supported from behind by a network of hand-wrought iron reinforcements. This fascinating piece came out of a very good estate; it was evidently a rather expensive item in its day. The headboard was accompanied by a typed letter signed by E.F Karges, the president of the Karges Furniture Co., which imported it from Italy some 60 years ago. I quote from this letter: "Only on the basis of a personal friendship has the writer been able to induce Signore Natali, the Master carver, to produce this headboard for us and in very limited quantities." This piece measures 92 inches wide overall. The unornamented section that would "frame" the end of the mattress is 78 inches wide, which is exactly the width of a king-size mattress; this headboard was originally intended to fit a king-size bed. The carved and gilded portion of the headboard that is visible when in use (the section pictured on 1stDibs) is 38.5 inches tall; this part is mounted to a subsidiary wooden frame that sits entirely hidden behind the head of the bed. The height of this frame is not so important, as it could be easily adjusted up or down without detriment to the overall aesthetics of the piece. Price contact dealer Condition excellent condition Measurements Height: 38.5 in. Width/Length: 7 ft. 8 in. Specifications Number of items: 1 Materials/Technique: carved and gilded wood, wrought iron reinforcements Reference: 0811068091347 |
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