An Italian scagliola topped carved giltwood center table, the scagliola top signed G. Della Valle, Livorno mid 19th century

the rectangular top centred by a bird on a branch within a scrolling foliate border with birds on fruiting branches and reptiles, with a stylised scallopshell on the top and bottom border, the base with a pierced frieze centred by a winged grotesque mask on cabriole legs headed by grotesque mask, joined by an x-form stretcher centred by a gadrooned tazza; top restored

Colours more vibrant with greater contrast and much more attractive than in the catalogue photograph The top: There is a restored break which has been very well executed and is not too noticeable. Old scratches and minor chips and pitting as visible from photograph. Charming detail to decoration, with attractive shimmering effect in places. The red flowers have possibly been restored. Giltwood base: Old minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with age. There are some unexplained small holes in the frieze at the front and back where possibly there was previous fixings.There are some hairline construction cracks at joints which can easily be filled or left. Some very minor losses to carving especially the acanthus sprays flanking the masks on the knees, with some old very minor restorations. The gilding is particularly worn nicely to the red bole on the stretcher, as visible from photograph. The nose on the central mask on the rear frieze has been partially chipped off and touched up with gilt paint. The wooden supports beneath the top are later additions to strengthen. An attractive piece in overall good conserved condition.
"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:
A. M. Massinelli, Hardstones, The Gilbert Collection, London, 2000, p. 103-105, no 33 (inv. 1996.308(MM201)

A related table top signed F. Della Valle with similar composition centred by birds on branches within a scrolling foliate border with flower-filled cornucopiae and birds, on a marquetry base by the Falcini brothers, is in the GIlbert Collection, London, illustrated by Massinelli, op. cit., p. 103, reproduced here in fig. 1. This table was exhibited in the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in London in 1851 and illustrated and described in the catalogue.

Various scagliola tops sold at auction by Delle Valle are as follows:
-A circular top decorated with a view of St. Peter's Basilica and four vignettes of famous Roman monuments was sold at Christie's, New York 25^th October 1991, lot 144.
-A rectangular scagliola table top similar to the Gilbert top was sold as lot 37, Sotheby's, New York, 12^th November 1983.

The DellaValle brothers of Leghorn:
They were one of the last families of Tuscan scagliola-makers and their specialist scagliola workshop was founded at the end of the 18^th century in Rome.Their workshop was first opened at no. 1473 Porta Cappuccini and then was transferred to Via Ricosoli, 1 in Livorno and the workshop remained active until 1856.  

The sons of the founder Filippo della Valle, Pietro and Giuseppe specialised in landscape paintings. Pietro exhibited a painting at the Accademy delle  Belle Arte in Florence in 1838 with a view of Livorno. They also exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 where they were included in the Tuscan section (pre-unification of Italy).

The introduction of the section highlites the quality of their work,`the artistical taste of the Tuscans is likewise perceptible in their wood-carvings, in their hard-stone mosaic and their scagliola and marquetry works'.
They were renowned  for their virtuoso technique of producing Italian views with superb detail all depicted in pastel colours. Their work was conceived and realised to cater for the wealthy Grand Tourists who visited Italy and wanted a souvenir of their stay. The della Valle specialised in landscapes and peasant scenes and their work was characterised by great complexity with very naturalistic depictions with subtle colours all thanks to the artistic training of Pietro.

The technique on this top is called `encausto' which traces its origin back to Roman times and the colours mixed with wax are used on the wet scagliola ground similar to the fresco technique. The main aim of the `encausto' is not to imitate nature but to attain pictorial effects similar to the ones achieved by the Vatican workshops in the late 18th and early 19^th century.