An Italian fruitwood and ebony inlaid walnut marquetry and parquetry desk, Rolo circa 1800

the rectangular top inlaid with a rectangular tablet with a ribbon-tied medallion depicting a mother and her babe in arms reclining on a bed within strapwork flanked by oval vignettes of townscapes and capriccio above two short drawers, the sides similarly inlaid to the top within a twisted ribbon border, on square tapering legs inlaid to simulate fluting

Colour less orange with more contrast and much more natural and attractive than the catalogue photograph. There are some cracks generally as visible in the catalogue photograph, some of which show evidence of previous restoration, which are opening up again, but which can either be filled or left. Some minor restorations to the veneer and patches which have been well executed and are hardly noticeable. The sides of the drawers have been stained and there are replacement runners beneath the drawers. An unusual and attractive lot 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: 
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile neoclassico in Italia arredi e deorazioni d'interni dal 1775 al 1800,  Milan, 2005, p. 239, no. 50, for a table with similarly inlaid scenes manufactured in Rolo, in the Camera di Deputati, Rome. The illustrated table originally in Palazzo Reale in Turin was then transferred after the Unification of Italy to the Palazzo Ducale in Colorno.
D. Ferretti, Per una storia dell'arte della tarsia a Rolo, in G. Castagnaro, Rolo, 1996, pp. 25-53.

This style of marquetry was found at the end of the 18^th century to originate from the workshop in Rolo, in the vicinity of Reggio Emilia, of Giuseppe Preti (1692-177). The workshop was continued by his younger brother Gioachino until 1815. Characteristic of this Rolo production are fantasy scenes of towns and the countryside. Other scenes conceived in a similar vein can be seen on two commodes illustrated ibid.

Various workshops specialising in inlaid marquetry were active in Rolo in Reggio Emilia in Italy during the 18^th century. One such was the workshop of Giuseppe Preti (1692-1770), who made the pulpit in the church of his own city. Another active marqueteer in Rolo was Giulio Pretti, who received an important commission from the Marques of Paolo Rango D'Aragona in 1778. Paoloa Biraga (or Biraghi) was also  very active in Rolo. He was born in 1744, and worked with his younger brother Gioacchino until 1815. 

The distictive character of the Rolo production in the 18^th and for the major part of the 19^th century was to decorate the pieces mainly commodes and tables with inlaid views of cities or landscapes. The stunning perspective was obtained by using similar marquetry techniques used during the Renaissance period (see for example see the commodes illustrated in Castagnaro, Ferretti, op. cit., p.120).