An Italian Egyptian red and green porphyry, verde antico, Spanish portor marble and glass inlaid circular top 19th Century

in the manner of Francesco Sibilio, centred by a roundel within a stylised flowerhead motif within a border of stylised pyramids and leaves within a Spanish portor veneered border

Old very minor marks, cracks and scratches commensurate with age. Some very minor restorations which are hardly noticeable. In overall good condition.Highly decorative
"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. 88-89, no. 24, 1996.608 (MM152), for a related table top reproduced here in fig.1, attributed to Sibilio.

Francesco Sibilio:

He was active in Rome in the second quarter of the 19^th century and was not only a merchamt and craftsman specialising in stone works but also a collector of very rare stones himself as well as being one of the leading experts in this field. He not only made table tops but also produced objects made of semi-precious stones and he is the first known craftsman who combined fragments of ancient glass with specimen marbles. The Vatican, for example, acquired his collection of over 400 ancient coins.

The foremost dealers and an collectors of specimen marbles in the first half of the 19^th century were; Faustino Corsi and two brotherss Tomasso and Francesco Belli and in the manuscript tickets for individual marbles from both collections frequently refer to Francesco Sibilio as the supplier.