An Italian amaranth inlaid bois citronnier and marquetry reading table, circle of Gabriele Capello, signed and dated Socco Pietro Fecit, 1843

with a leather inset top, a drawer in the side with three compartments, the mouldings around the top pulling out to form four lecturns, with partially illegible ink inscription to the underside: Socco Pietro Fecit, 1843

Comparative Literature:
R. Antonetto, Gabriele Capello "Moncalvo" Ebanista di due re,Turin, 2004, plates 14-22.
A. Paolini, A.  Ponte and O.  Selvafolta, Il Bello 'Ritrovato'.  Novara, 1990, pp. 233-238.
E.  Colle, Il Mobile Impero in Italia: Arredi e Decorazioni d'Interni dal 1800 al 1843.  Milano, 1998, pp. 367-372.

This ingenious metamorphic reading table with its dark inlay on a light ground is reminiscent of the furniture in the Etruscan manner executed by Pelagio Pelagi  after designs by Gabriele Capello, for Castello Racconigi, in the second quarter of the 19th century. The inlay also takes its inspiration from French Charles X furniture. Various examples of furniture conceived in this vein by Pelago Pelagi after Capello's designs, can be found at the Palazzo Racconigi, which is situated outside Turin, illustrated by Antonetto, op. cit., plates 14-22.