An Italian pietre dure inlaid table top, Florentine, first half 17th century

centred with a ribbon-tied central panel depicting flowers within a rectangular panel with exotic birds, and foliage, the border with fruiting vines, the whole with butterflies, dragonflies, fruit and flowers enclosed in a geometric and verde antico border, the whole inlaid with a variety of hardstones including lapis lazuli, jaspers, agates, chalcedonies, giallo antico, breccia coralline and rosso antico, on a later Baroque style carved giltwood base with a gadrooned edge on scrolled legs joined by stretchers,

Galleria Franco di Castro, Rome

In overall good conserved condition. The colours of the stones are more vibrant and slightly lighter in colour and more attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The choice of stones and design of the top are beautiful. There are some minor water stains to top that can be repolished. There are some old very minor marks, chips and scratches which are hardly noticeable. There are minor restorations to the verde antico border, which have been well executed. Some very minor restorations to some of the stones which has been well executed. The base with very minor marks and chips and wear to gilding.
"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."

This pietre dure table top represents a very fine example of 17th Century Florentine craftsmanship, when hardstones  table tops depicting elaborate compositions of fruiting swags, butterflies, flowers and birds on fruiting branches became highly prized by sophisticated collectors and courts throughout Europe. Florentine tops depicting complex arrangements of fruit and flowers with birds took inspiration from the naturalistic designs of Jacopo Ligozzi (c.1547-1627), who was Medici court painter and director of the Galleria del Lavori in Florence.

The present mosaic is certainly by the same designer, and probably hand, of one belonging to the Royal Castle of Rosenborg, in Copenhagen, here illustrated. The Rosenborg mosaic is recorded as being from Christian IV's Oratory in the Chapel of Frederiksborg Palace and it is fitted on a stand with Frederik III's monogram and motto, circa 1660. The same is illustrated by Giusti, Le Marquetrie des Pierres Dures, p. 84, plate 66 - reproduced here in fig. 1, where it has been dated to the first quarter of the 17th century.

The Rosenborg example and the present lot share an identical border using the distinctive fruiting vine garland, emanating from similarly ribbon-tied corners. This mosaic also presents similarly blue and white bellflowers, motifs that can also be seen in a top with a more complex composition made for the Earl of Yarnmouth (Sotheby’s London, 5^th July 2006, lot 6). These two examples present birds finely inlaid with particularly vibrant stones, as in the accomplished birds of the current lot.