An Italian micromosaic and malachite veneered topped carved giltwood centre table, the top Roman, the base Florentine second quarter 19th century

the circular top centred by a neo-classical female figure in a chariot amongst cupids and amorini with a Roman centurion, within a border of classical grotesque masks, birds, butterflies and floral swags within a veneered malachite border, the associated carved giltwood base with a pierced frieze carved with female masks amongst  flowers, foliage and scrolls on a cross-hatched ground on three infant term supports holding aloft a stylised scallopshell with a fruiting swag around their waists, on inward scrolled leaf carved cabriole legs joined by a stretcher centred by a fruit and flower filled wicker basket on leaf carved flattened bun feet

By repute acquired by Jonkheer Willem Philip Barnaart during the 19^th century for his family home, Barnaart House, Nieuwe Gracht 7, Haarlem, The Netherlands; Until sold with the house to the Province of Noord-Holland in 1880, the house then became the official residence of the Commissaris van de Koningin (The Queen's Provincial Governor for the Province); In 1940 the furnishings were removed and brought over to the Provinciehuis, Haarlem;
From 1960, the piece has been in store at the Provinciehuis.

A most attractive piece in overall goood conserved condition. The colour of the top is slightly darker overall with more contrast of colours in the floral garlands and is much more attractive in reality. The gilding of the base is slightly darker and had benefitted from a light clean and restoration to old breaks to the carved sections. The detail of the micromosaic is most attractive and is in generally very good order. There are some very minor scattered hairline cracks in the micro-mosaic but these are hardly noticeable, together with some very minor pitting and very minor areas of restoration. The malachite has had some very minor restorations with areas of infill, as visible from photograph. There are several sections of the rosso antico marble border which are missing around the edge which are visible in the photograph, but these are not visible when the gilt-bronze border is attached. The piece is slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. There are construction cracks running through the scallopshell above the heads of the cherub terms as visible in the catalogue photograph which have been strengthened behind the frieze with later wooden blocks which can easily be filled or left. The egg and dart moulding in giltwood together with the cross stretcher beneath the micro-mosiac top would appear to be later additions. The detail of the carving on the stretcher to the fruit bowl is a very good quality.
"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."

This beautiful example of a Roman micromosaic could well be from the workship of Camillo Poggioli (active in the second quarter of the 19th century). This tentative attribution can be made for a number of reasons. The minutely cut tesserae finely arranged to form a wreath of swags filled with colourful foliage and tied with blue ribbon, is a decorative flourish that Poggioli used; we know this as there is a documented table by him which shares this decorative device. This table centred by a bird and in the Gilbert Collection is illustrated Jeanette Hanisse Gabriel, The Gilbert Collection, Micromosaics, London, 2000, p. 107, fig. 51. It too features further decorative bands and has a bold, plain hardstone border, like one in malachite on the offered lot.