Venetian Baroque Hand-Painted Dressing Table with Carved Mirror — Floral Polychrome & Gold

Design & Inspiration

Place this dressing table in a bedroom and the room immediately reorganises itself around it. The ivory-lacquered body, the sweep of gilded rocaille moldings along every edge, the mirror frame rising into a scrolled pediment crowned by sculpted rose finials — together they create a focal point that belongs to the finest tradition of Venetian decorative furniture. This piece draws from the Italian Baroque lacca povera and lacca veneziana tradition, in which entire surfaces were transformed into gardens of painted imagery, gilt ornament, and polychrome relief. The result is not simply furniture — it is a daily ritual elevated into ceremony.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The dressing table body and matching mirror frame are constructed from solid beech, kiln-dried to below 10% humidity for dimensional stability. Every surface is hand-applied with an ivory lacquer ground, over which skilled artisans have painted swags of roses, carnations, and wildflowers in soft pinks, dusty mauves, sage greens, and powder blues — a palette drawn directly from 18th-century Venetian cabinet painting. The bombé drawer fronts bow outward in characteristic Baroque fashion, each panel framed by gilded acanthus borders. Gilt detailing — applied in gold leaf over a gesso base — runs along the top rail egg-and-dart molding, the bracket feet, and the scrolled corner mounts. The mirror frame echoes the table's language: mint-lacquered pilasters clothed in climbing painted roses, a broken pediment with a central oval cartouche hand-painted with a floral medallion, and flanking urn-shaped finials bearing sculpted rose bouquets at the corners.

Dimensions & Details

Dressing Table: Width: 170 cm / Depth: 50 cm / Height: 80 cm. Mirror dimensions: N/A (mirror sold as part of this set). The table offers five drawers — one narrow central drawer flanked by two deep bombé-fronted drawers on each pedestal — providing generous storage for jewelry, cosmetics, and personal items. Weight: 15.0 kg (dressing table). Set includes: dressing table + carved mirror.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every piece bearing the Brass & Wood name is produced in Egypt by craftsmen who have spent years mastering European historical finishing techniques. The hand-painting on this dressing table is executed with fine brushes, following the original Venetian convention of painting directly onto the lacquered ground before the final protective coat is applied — not a decal, not a transfer, but a genuinely hand-rendered surface. Brass & Wood offers customisation options on finish colour, floral palette, and mirror proportions, ensuring that a piece of this significance can be tailored precisely to its future room.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this dressing table made from?

The frame and body are built from solid beech, kiln-dried to under 10% humidity. Surfaces are finished in hand-applied ivory lacquer with hand-painted polychrome floral decoration and gold leaf gilding over a gesso ground.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — primarily attaching the mirror frame to the dressing table base. All hardware and instructions are included. Professional installation is recommended given the fragility of the carved and gilded surfaces.

Can this piece be customised?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customisation in lacquer base colour, floral motif palette, and gilt tone. Contact our team before placing your order to discuss your specifications.