Balcony panel from the Palazzo Pola

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This panel is from Palazzo Pola in Treviso, a rare survival from a domestic balcony that was once a symbol of status and gathering place for people within the building. The palace's front facade, built about 1490, boasted a splendid balcony that would have been the envy of outsiders. Carved by skilled artisans, the balcony panels were attributed to the workshop of Pietro Lombardo, an esteemed sculptor and architect in Treviso from 1486. His shop executed several notable projects, including the monument to Bishop Zanetti in the Cathedral and the tomb of Agostino Onigo in San Nicolo. The palace balconies exhibit strong stylistic affinity with these Trevisian works, but Boucher suggests that the design was influenced by elaborately carved altar railings in Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Venice, created by Pietro between 1481 and 1489. This style is reminiscent of other carved balconies found in churches throughout Venice, such as the galleries of St Mark's. A rare secular example can be seen on the facade of the Palazzo Contarinin-Fasan, situated along the Grand Canal. Pietro Lombardo was born around 1435 in Carona and died in Venice in June 1515. He was a leading figure in Venetian architecture during the late 15th century, renowned for his contributions to the Renaissance in that city. His sons, Tullio and Antonio, were also respected sculptors of their time. Pietro supervised the construction of the Cappella Maggiore and its cupola for Treviso Cathedral, begun by 1485 or 1486. When the dome collapsed in 1486, Pietro vowed to entrust its rebuilding to a capable architect, who was later identified as his son Tullio through an agreement in 1488. In his final years, Pietro seems to have focused on collaborations with his sons, including supervising the construction of the chapel of the Holy Sacrament in Treviso Cathedral and another at S Salvatore in Venice designed by Tullio. He played a more limited role in Antonio's work on the Zen Chapel in S Marco. In 1514, Pietro served as the head of the stonemasons' guild in Venice, demonstrating his continued influence in Venetian architecture even in his last years.