By Gaetano Bianchini
Located in London, GB
This large and exquisite Florentine pietra dura table top, attributed to the renowned Gaetano Bianchini, is beautifully presented on a carved giltwood base. Crafted in Italy circa 1870, the rectangular table top is profusely inlaid with rare specimen stones on a dramatic black marble ground. The exquisite commesso di pietre dure work depicts vibrant flowers among foliage, including roses, jasmine, daisies, petunias, and peace lilies, all framed within a conforming floral border with lapis lazuli stringing. The table is elevated by a carved giltwood base featuring double-column end supports that terminate in scrolled feet, elegantly joined by a stretcher centered with a seated putto. This remarkable piece survives in excellent antique condition, retaining the vibrant coloration of the specimen stones and the rich patina of the giltwood.
A comparable Florentine pietra dura table top attributed to Gaetano Bianchini, mounted on a different base, was notably sold from the Freddie Mercury collection at Sotheby's London on September 6, 2023, lot 2, achieving a price of 114,300 British pounds.
The art of inlaid marbles and hardstones, known as commesso di pietre dure, flourished in Florence under the patronage of the grand-ducal workshops, established in 1588, where the craft achieved unparalleled heights. By the early nineteenth century, however, production and innovation in this exquisite tradition had waned. It was through the efforts of enterprising private artists, such as Gaetano Bianchini, that this art form was revitalized and given a new lease of life.
Trained at the prestigious Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Bianchini reimagined the possibilities of this technique. By incorporating softer stones and alternative materials, he expanded the chromatic range and artistic potential of pietre dure, while reducing production time. This innovation enabled him to establish a successful private workshop around 1825, making the art more commercially viable. By 1840, the fame of the Laboratorio Bianchini had spread widely, even attracting a visit from Emperor Nicholas I of Russia, who offered Bianchini the directorship of the Imperial Lapidary Works at Peterhof. Bianchini declined, instead proposing to train Russian...
Category
1870s Italian Antique Inlay Tables
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Belgian Black Marble
