Lot 152
  • 152

An Italian rosewood, amaranth, fruitwood, ebony, pen engraved ivory inlaid and marquetry centre table by Francesco Grandi circa 1880

Estimate
40,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description

  • wood and ivory
  • 84cm. high, 94cm. diameter; 2ft.9in., 3ft.1in.
in the neo pompeian style, the circular top centred with a scene showing Egyptian figures embarking at a port, signed Inv M. Grandi, with four similar scenes around the border, the underside with a small inset ivory plaque engraved F. Grandi-Fece, with a removable modern glass top

Condition

The quality of the marquetry and pen engraving is very good. A most unusual design in overall very good condition and highly recommended. Some very minor hairline cracks in the ivory, but these are hardly noticeable and can be left. There is a restored crack in the top but this has been well executed and are hardly noticeable. Some old very minor marks, chips and scratches and old very minor restorations to the veneer which are hardly noticeable. There is a minor section of ivory stringing missing from the frieze. This can easily be replaced. There is a very minor section of molding at the base of one column which has been reglued but is not flush and would benefit from some minor attention.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Francesco Enrico Grandi was born in 1841. He was celebrated as an engraver and intarsiatore, being active in Sorrento, an area renowned for such work. In 1886, he founded a school of carving with his fellow artisan Arturo Guidi, who had shown work at the International Exhibition in Vienna in 1873, including a table with scenes from the life of Christoper Columbus, which was purchased by Vittorio Emmanuele II.
Grandi and Guidi collaborated on a number of pieces. They produced a table centred by a scene inspired by ancient Roman history which closely ressembles the present lot. It is illustrated with another similar table top in Il Mobile dell'Ottocento in Italia, Enrico Colle, Electra 2007, p.105, reproduced here in fig.1..

Grandi exhibited his work at the 1878 Exposition Universelle in Paris, where he showed a frame, which contained a painting by Benini of Augustus and Cleopatra, perhaps the inspiration for this table. He also showed work at the Chicago World Fair in 1893.