An Italian ebony and fruitwood inlaid boxwood, walnut marquetry and parquetry centre table by Arturo Guidi, Gaetano Gosi and Angelo Querci dated 1874

the top centred by two portrait oval medallions with further medallions with monograms and with mannerist scenes of grotesques, each larger panel with part of the signature on a central ring Siena, Fecero, Guido, Gosi and Querci and dated Siena 1874, the frieze with four drawers interposed with tablets, now with a later glass top

Purchased by the present owner from Christie's London, 14 th May 1998, lot 93 ( £34,000).

Exposition Nationale, Parma, 1870
Exposition Universelle, Vienna, 1873

Very good overall condition and can be placed immediately. With very small patches of restorations to the stand. Small cracks and dents in places. Very fine quality marquetry and carving. The marquetry top has some typical age cracks to a couple of localised areas of inlay - however these do not detract. Small chips to the carving particularly to the stand. Now with a later glass top. Superb quality carving and marquetry. An Exhibition piece. The client originally paid £34,000 for this piece so the estimate is very reasonable.
"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."

Gosi, Guidi and Querci were known apprentices of Pietro Giusti and from 1867 were granted the use of one of his workshops in San Domenico Cloister, shortly after it moved to 31 via della Belle Arti. They exhibited their work at the National Exhibition in Parma in 1870 and at the Universal Exhibition in Vienna in 1873. In 1874 they exhibited in a number of local exhibitions (see Simone Chiarugi, Botteghe di mobilieri in Toscana, Florence 1994, Vol. I. for a design of a cornice made for the Czar of Russia by the partnership in 1873 and Vol.II. pps. 492 and 530.