A very fine pair of Italian carved giltwood console tables in the Antique manner, Roman third quarter 18th century

each of serpentine form with a mosaic top inlaid with cubes within a roundel intercepted by a geometric motif within a stylised blue and white Greek key border within a liver coloured veneered marble border with gilt-bronze gadrooning, the frieze carved with laurel swags within guilloche on boldly scrolled cabriole legs, carved with acanthus and applied paterae on hoof feet

Colour of gilding more golden and much more attractive than in the photograph.There are several sections of the marble along the front edge of both tables which have been reglued. There are some chips to the liver coloured border which can easily be filled. The gilt-brass border on the top has lost its gilding, but can easily be regilt. Minor restorations to the micromosaic tops which are beautiful. The wooden frieze at the back beneath is a later replacement. Some minor chips to gilding, some hairline construction cracks at joints, which can either be left or filled. Evidence of old very minor worm which appears to be no longer active. There are some minor chips to the gilding, which can easily be touched up. On one of the tables there is a crack beneath one of the acanthus on the knees and some hairline cracks generally. There are some minor chips to the carving. In overall good conserved condition. A very rare pair of tables and strong model and highly recommended.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
G. Lizzani, Il Mobile Romano, Milan, 1970, p. 79, plate 123.
A.G.Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto, Roma e il regno delle due Sicilie, Vol II, Milan,1986,p. 102, figs. 207 and 208.
A.G.Palacios, Fasto Romano dipinti, sculture, arredi dai Palazzi di Roma, Palazzo Sacchetti 15th May -30th June 1991, ome, 1991, plate LV.

The mosaic and marble tops outlined with a gilt-bronze border are a particularly impressive feature of these rare consoles. Shaped marble tops including mosaic with large tesserae are exteremely rare although a few are recorded.

A very grand pair from Palazzo Borghese was sold by Christie's, London, lot 100, 23rd June 1999 (catalogued by Alvar González-Palacios). Rectangular examples of Roman tops in this technique are on public display in the Collections of the Duke of Northumberland at Syon Park. The mosaic tops on these tables reflects the vogue for inserting antique mosaics into marble tops which was revived in the third quarter of the 18th century in Rome by Roman craftsmen. A similar example  with a mosaic fragment from Villa Adriana at Tivoli, circa 1737, is illustrated by Lizzani, op. cit., p. 79, plate 123.  Another related top is in the Dahlem Museum, Berlin, illustrated by A.G.P., op. cit., p. 111, figs. 207-208.  He also illustrates in Fasto Romano, op. cit., Tav. LV,  a mid 18th century giltwood console table with a mosaic top (Fondazione Caetani (cat. 117)).

The giltwood bases on this pair of console tables are in the manner of Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-78), the celebrated designer and architect and engraver of Roman views. His designs for furniture were very influential and he published a folio in 1769, Diverse maniere d'adornare i cammini ed ogni altra parte degli edifici, which included designs for tables, chairs, vases and chimney-pieces etc. The designs were overtly neo-classical and overloaded with antique motifs such as palmettes, lion monopodia palmettes and bucrania. The shape of the present tables and the inward curving legs terminating in hoof feet are reminiscent of a table after a Piranesi design, circa 1769, in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
A pair of mosaic topped Roman tables was sold as lot 168, in these Rooms, 12th December 2001.