An Italian scagliola topped carved giltwood centre table, the top by the Della Valle Brothers, Leghorn mid 19th century

the circular top decorated with a string of pearls, coral, scallop and conch shells on a black ground, the carved giltwood stand with vine leaves and grapes on a rockwork base with paw feet, the underside of the top with a printed  paper label "Pierre della Valle & Frères /Fabbricante Paintres en Scagliolal a Livourne /Rue Leopolda Palazzo Mazza/"; minor retouching to the gilding

 



 



 

In overall good conserved condition. The colour of the gilding is less greenish more golden and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. Attractive detail to the scagliola top which has old very minor marks and scratches and water marks commensurate with age and useage. Some old very minor restorations to the carving on the base which has been very well executed and is hardly noticeable. The gilding has been varnished.
"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:
Anna Maria Giusti, Pietre Dure Hardstone in Furniture and Decorations, London, 1992, p. 246, fig. 94 and p. 122, fiig, 122.

The decoration on this top in imitation of pietre dure table tops with corals, shells and pearls is reminicent  of the watercolour modelli for ovals of pietre dure by Carlo Carlieri for the Grand Ducal Workshop, illustrated by Giusti, op. cit. p. 246, fig. 94.  A table top in this vein after a design by Giovan Battista Giorgi, circa 1825, Naples is illustrated by Giusti, op. cit, p, 122. plate 65.

The Della Valle brothers of Leghorn:
They were one of the last families of Tuscan scagliola-makers and their specialist scagliola workshop was founded at the end of the 18th century in Rome.Their workshop was first opened at no. 1473 Porta Cappuccini and then was transferred to Via Ricosoli, 1 in Livorno and the workshop remained active until 1856.
The sons of the founder Filippo della Valle, Pietro and Giuseppe specialised in landscape paintings. Pietro exhibited a painting at the Accademy delle Belle Arte in Florence in 1838 with a view of Livorno. They also exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 where they were included in the Tuscan section (pre-unification of Italy).
The introduction of the section highlites the quality of their work, `the artistical taste of the Tuscans is likewise perceptible in their wood-carvings, in their hard-stone mosaic and their scagliola and marquetry works'.
They were renowned for their virtuoso technique of producing Italian views with superb detail all depicted in pastel colours. Their work was conceived and realised to cater for the wealthy Grand Tourists who visited Italy and wanted a souvenir of their stay. The della Valle specialised in landscapes and peasant scenes and their work was characterised by great complexity with very naturalistic depictions with subtle colours all thanks to the artistic training of Pietro.
The technique on this top is called `encausto' which traces its origin back to Roman times and the colours mixed with wax are used on the wet scagliola ground similar to the fresco technique. The main aim of the `encausto' is not to imitate nature but to attain pictorial effects similar to the ones achieved by the Vatican workshops in the late 18th and early 19th century.