19th Century Italian Pietra Dura Top Table Depicting Birds on a Carved Base

A late Georgian table in the Gillows manner Constructed in goncalo alves, having an inset Florentine Pietra Dura platform; of free-standing, turned and tapering end support form, wi...

The Specimen Pietra Dura Marble Armorial Top By Joseph Darmanin of Malta The shaped circular top finely inlaid with the arms of General Robert Edward King, 1st Viscount Lorton (1773-1854), masterfully executed in pietra dura and specimen marbles upon a fossil-rich yellow marble ground. The inlaid work is of exceptional delicacy, having all the hallmarks of the greatest heraldic tops by the famous makers, including the use of delicate shaded marbles. The richly carved base, unmistakably Irish in conception and executed in dense, darkly patinated mahogany, is by Strahan of Dublin, one of the foremost cabinetmakers of his day. The double C-scrolled tripartite base enriched with carved flowers leading to the acanthus clasped pedestal support, on brass hidden castors. The frame stamped 'Strahan' and retaining its original paper label from Strahan's Henry Street workshop. The underside of the marble top equally bearing its original trade label of 'J. Darmanin & Sons […] Malt.' The base, Irish, circa 1835 The top, Maltese, circa 1830 Provenance Commissioned by General Robert Edward King, 1st Viscount Lorton Originally housed in the Billiard Room at Rockingham House, Co. Roscommon By descent through the King-Harman family Lady Dunn Thence by descent Private Collection, UK Dimensions: H: 29 in / 74 cm Dia: 38 in / 97 cm This table was most likely acquired by Lord Lorton on one of his Grand Tours-either in 1825 or 1836-aligning with Darmanin's transition to "& Sons." The Irish base, dated slightly later, suggests the top was mounted upon return, a common practice for souvenirs of elite European travel. The table remained at Rockingham House until its mid-20th-century demolition, a rare survivor from what was once considered John Nash's finest classical house in Ireland. J. Darmanin & Sons of Malta The renowned 'Marble Workers Darmanin' were Malta's leading marble craftsmen in the 19th century. They excelled in creating 'Monumental and Mosaic Slabs and other Decorative Artworks,' notably mosaic table tops...

A rare grand tour table Possibly by Cesare Roccheggiani The circular platform of marmore nero, inset with fine micromosaic panels consisting of thousands of coloured glass tesserae; a central roundel depicting The Vatican from St Peter's Square within a malachite border, surrounded by a border including four cartouches in polychrome reserves of Roman views including the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, with the remnants of the Temple of Vespasian; the Temple of Vesta, and the Pantheon, all interspersed and linked by voluminous bouquets of fruit and flowers representing the 4 seasons; the outer stylised border inlaid with deep blue tesserae evocative of exotic Lapis Lazuli. Supported on a finely carved Italian giltwood base, its design incorporating baskets of fruit and floral garlands echoing the 4 seasons theme of the table. Italian, Circa 1875 Other table tops inspired by this design, although not as finely executed, can be found in several Russian collections (which house the greatest micromosaics) including Vorontsov Palace, Muranovo House, as well as the imperial State Hermitage Museum. A tabletop with profuse floral micromosaic work was commissioned by the Belgian Royal family (sold Sotheby's, 2003). The floral garlands, the magnificent quality of the inlay and the use of distinct curved tesserae support the present attribution to Cesare Roccheggiani. According to Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, the world expert on micro mosaics, curved tesserae pieces were used in foliage, grass and animal fur by only the very best mosaicists such as Roccheggiani. Evidence of curved pieces, for instance, is observed in the foreground of the Temple of Vesta cartouche, to name but one observation of the master's hand. The scion of a dynasty of mosaicists, Roccheggiani was perhaps the most successful mosaicist in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. He is doubtless related to Lorenzo Roccheggiani, a late eighteenth-century master mosaicist at the Vatican, whose work included the altarpiece, Crucifixion of St. Peter after Guido Reni. Nicolo Roccheggiani, possibly Lorenzo's son, was also a principle artist at the Vatican, involved in executing the famous tabletop Achilles Shield...

An occasional table in the Louis XVIth manner Constructed in giltwood, with a hardstone inlaid top; of circular form, rising from circular toupie feet, the conforming legs conjoin...

A beautiful and most decorative Italian 19th century giltwood and Pietra Dura marble side table. The table is raised by a superb richly carved giltwood base with three finely scrolle...

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