206 - Regency nightstand. England, ca. 1810.

Regency nightstand. England, ca. 1810. Made of mahogany with fruitwood inlay and a bronze handle. It shows signs of scuffing, wear, and minor damage typical of its age and use. Provenance: Family bequest of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. An art and heritage collection originating from the legacy of the Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a key figure in 19th-century Catalan realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched over successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original estates of both artists, along with new acquisitions made by their descendants. They maintained a special dedication to the preservation and restoration of the family legacy, acquiring works by the painters themselves as they came onto the market and progressively expanding the collection with paintings, sculptures, archaeological pieces, and other objects of artistic and historical interest. Early 19th-century English nightstand in the Regency style, made of mahogany. It features a structure with straight lines and compact proportions, with a top that serves as a tray, bordered by a raised perimeter rim. The slightly convex front features an upper compartment with a vertical-slat shutter closure and a removable lower drawer, the front of which is decorated with fine contrasting wood inlays and a circular bronze handle. The interior of the drawer is lined with leather. Its design is inspired by English domestic furniture of the Regency period, characterized by clean lines, neoclassical influence, and the combination of fine woods with discreet ornamental details. The shutter closure, which allows the upper compartment to be concealed without the need for a hinged door, is one of the most distinctive design elements of this piece.