Pair of lacquered wooden benches, Tuscany, 18th century Measurements: cm L 247 x 38 x H 120. seat cm H 56 x D 32 Price: private negotiation Item accompanied by a certificate of authenticity This pair of important Baroque benches was made in Tuscany in the early 18th century. The lacquered wood structure features trompe l'oeil decorations and a central noble coat of arms. The backrest is shaped. In the center stands a large quartered and crowned shield, which represents the noble family that commissioned the seats, certainly designed to be placed in an aristocratic palace. The shield is inserted inside a trompe l'oeil frame that simulates gilded bronze. On the sides of the coat of arms, trompe l'oeil decorations in monochrome, imitating stone, depict vegetal designs with acanthus leaves and volutes. The decorations are repeated on the band under the seat where the painting simulates a stone architecture composed of volutes, curls and acanthus leaves, embellished with trompe l'oeil depicting gilded bronze garlands centered by a decoration with volutes and phytomorphic ornaments in faux gilded bronze with a large shell lacquered in shades of blue in the center. The seat tops can be folded down through an eyelet system, to reveal a compartment. These fascinating benches, very decorative and large, can be placed, together or individually, in various environments, such as living rooms, corridors, entrances, also useful as a support surface of great elegance. One of its benches has a missing piece in a curl of the foot.