An Italian carved giltwood console table, Neapolitan mid 18th Century

with a later serpentine veined purple, liver and cream moulded marble top, above a pierced frieze centred by a stylised scallopshell, on cabriole legs terminating in inward scrolled feet, the whole carved with flowers, leaves, rocaille and scrolls, the underside of the top stencilled in black ink with the number 6516564; marble top restored

Colour of gilding more golden and less greenish and the marble top is less greyish and much more attractive than in the catalogue photograph. Marble top restored but this is hardly noticeable, due to the mottling of the marble. Gilding retouched in places,commensurate with age and normal usage, but is in the main original. Very beautiful carving.The swags have been strengthened on the reverse with metal but this is not visible unless table is viewed from underneath. Old very minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with age and usage. Some old very minor restorations to carved sections, eg a few flowerheads have been re-carved, but these are hardly noticeable. Sophisticated model as the inside of the top of the legs are carved with acanthus. An attractive and sophisticated exampleof a Neapolitan console table. In overall good conserved condition 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."

The superb quality of the carving on this console table with its delicate rocaille and floral trails would seem to indicate that the piece was an important commission executed by an intagliatore who worked for the court and it represents one of the finest examples of Neapolitan craftsmanship applied to rococo console tables.

In terms of the quality of the carving, this table is comparable to a group of consoles made for the Royal Palaces and attributed to Gennaro di Fiore, the most skilled intagliatore in Naples during the 18th century (see a console table by him in the Palazzo Reale in Caserta, Naples) who worked for the most important Partenopean families.

Some pieces attributed to di Fiore, including the above-mentioned console table, are discussed by A.G.- Palacios, in the Catalogue of the Exhibition, 'Civilta del '700 a Napoli, 1734-1799: Vol. II, Florence, 1980, pI. 443, 445.

Comparable tables sold at auction include:
-a pair of Neapolitan giltwood consoles with similar carving, was sold in these Rooms, as lot l00, 8th December 1995.
-a single console table, sold as lot 300, Sotheby's, Milan, 19th & 20th December 2006