This book of 272 pages with great color illustrations presents the art of « piqué » developed in Naples in the first half of the eighteenth century, a technique that combines an extravagant inventiveness, virtuoso skill and unheard of luxury.
These extraordinary objects bring together three precious materials: shell, gold and mother-of-pearl.
According to Nicolas Kugel: «This fascinating combination is sublimated by the light that makes gold sparkle, reveals the iridescence of mother-of-pearl and penetrates the dark diaphaneness of the shell.»
These works were made between 1720 and 1760 for amateurs and the Court, especially for Charles de Bourbon, king of Naples in 1734, who transformed his kingdom into one of the most resplendent and cosmopolitan courts of Europe. This book presents more than fifty objects, gathered around the masterpiece of this technique, the Sarao's table.
The authors of these wonders were called "Tartarugari". The most famous of these was Giuseppe Sarao, whose studio leaned against the walls of the Royal Palace and signed some of the exhibits in the exhibition. These artists of genius not only managed to weld and mold the shell with boiling water and olive oil, but also to inlay the gold and mother-of-pearl in the shell still tender.
They created the most extravagant forms on which they deployed, thanks to the art of "piqué", fashionable sets: antics, chinoiseries or grotesques.

Contents:

• Foreword
• 1. The "Piqué", a cosmopolitan art
• 2. Naples in the 18th century
• 3. The workshops of "tartarugari magnifici"
• Guseppe and Genaro Sarao
• Antonio de Laurenti (or Laurenzi)
• Nicolas de Turris
• Nicolas Starace
• Giovani ( Juan ) and Tomaso Tagliaferro
• Other workshops
• 4. Materials and techniques
• 5. Typology
• The toilet
• Work and leisure
• The table
• Small objects
• 6. Exceptional furniture
• Tables
• Cabinets and table cupboards
• 7. Iconographic sources
• 8. Collectors
• Notes
• Catalogue
• Records
• Bibliography

The French texts are written by Alexis Kugel.

Printed in 2018, this book is NEW and is 8 inches x 12 inches ( 21 cm x 30 cm )