Campana Brothers Select: Works from the Permanent Collection

Side chair

  • Style of Michelangelo Pergolesi (Italian, active ca. 1760–1801)
    Italy, late 18th century
    Carved, polychromed, and gilded wood
    Gift of the Countess Costantini, 1924-6-1
    Photo: Andrew Garn

  • One of the early masters of neoclassicism, Michelangelo Pergolesi drew upon traditional motifs and decorations from ancient Rome. The elaborately carved chair back depicts two griffin heads emerging out of crossed cornucopia. In ancient mythology, cornucopia represented abundance while the griffin represented strength and vigilance.

Browse the collection: creating texture, entwining, inspiring arrow, morphing nature, quizzical delicacy, solid dreams, whimsy kaleidoscope
The above tags were provided by the Campana Brothers as an alternative way of organizing the objects in the exhibition.