AN ITALIAN GILT-METAL MOUNTED SCAGLIOLA LOW TABLE

The table's surface is mosaiced with polychromed pastoral vignettes displayed in an octagon and two medallion compartments that are wreathed by Roman acanthus foliage, while their white ribbon-borders are engraved with the sporting youths of antiquity celebrating the Feast of Venus. The signature of Fra Silvestro da Bologna (fl. 1700-1723) has been recorded on a tablet with similar sporting youths (G. Manni, I Maestri della Scagliola, Modena, 1997, fig. 300). Such patterns may have been inspired by the Renaissance artist and assistant to Raphael, Polidoro da Caravaggio (1490-1543) whose engravings were highly prized in the late 17th and 18th centuries (T. Clifford, 'Polidoro and English Design', Connoisseur, vol. 192, August 1976, pp. 282-291).

A table, with border inspired by the same engravings of sporting youths, was sold at Tajan, Paris, 8 November 1999, lot 126 (FF850,000). Its frame incorporates Pompeian bronze candelabrum pillars as manufactured by the Neapolitan bronze founders J. Chiurazzi & Fils.