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.