Magnificent walnut hand-carved bench attributed to master artist Valentino Besarel (b. July 29 1829, d. Dec 11 1902) of Venice, Italy. Renaissance Revival. High quality; soft, fine, deep hand carving. Monogrammed "FPF." Besarel was a 3rd generation carver: he operated an atelier and shop in 1860's Venice, exhibited in Vienna in 1873 to great acclaim, received a gold medal at the 1878 Paris Universal Exposition and created many works for monarchs across Europe. Dimensions: 42" W x 44" H x 22" D, 18" H seat.