A SET OF FOUR NORTH ITALIAN WALLPAPER PANELS, PIEDMONTESE SCHOOL

The figures in the detail of the panel (illustrated opposite) are probably playing 'palla a bracciale', a form of pallone which was popular in Naples in the 18th Century. Balls are struck back and forth with a wooden cylinder, called a bracciale, which is worn over the forearm. The game is shown in Antonio Joli's, King Ferdinand IV and Queen Caroline of Naples attending a game of palla a bracciale, sold Christie's London, 17 December 1999, (lot 69).