Free-standing. Veneered with mahogany. Fittings ornamentation in gilded bronze. Interior of the cupboard door and two drawers, flanked by Egyptianizing herms. On wheel casters. Tops of grey-veined marble (bleu turquin). Length 44.5, width 43.5, height 87 cm.
In walnut, mahogany, and mahogany veneer with gilt-bronze mounts top of grey Bardiglio marble.
The Eugenia Manufactory in Milan was run by the three brothers Manfredini, Francesco, Luigi and Antonio.
The company was specialized in producing furniture and gilt bronzes. Luigi Manfredini who was in charge of the foundry and the most influential of the three, was appointed Professor dell’Arte della Medaglia at the Brera Accademia di Belle Arte, Milan, in 1801.
The oldest brother Franchesco had his own workshop between 1803-1804 in Paris were he produced and promoted Italian gilt bronzes, clocks. His work was very appreciated by both the French and Italian aristocracy.
The third brother, Antonio, followed the same path thanks to the patronage of Eugene de Beauharnais (1781-1824), stepson of Napoleon Bonaparte. The works commissioned by royal and aristocratic patrons perfectly illustrate the ‘Manfredini style,’ which was a style characterized by the use of classical motifs from drawings by Palagi and Moglia, as well as a technique similar to the celebrated French bronziers such as Thomire and Galle.