An Italian octagonal micromosaic and marble table top, Roman, third quarter 19th century

centred by a beaded medallion depicting a recumbent tiger within a border of stylized  drapery and eight butterflies and stylised labyrinth motif and verde antico band within a gilt-bronze border, on a later verde antico support (not illustrated)

 

Top: In overall very good condition. Colour slightly lighter overall and more attractive and vibrant than in catalogue photograph. The bronze border has lost its gilding and is slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. On the verde antico border there is a slightly raised triangular area which is possibly a restoration and at one of the joints on the same border it has been filled with blue-coloured marble to the left of which there is a very minor beige-coloured patch. Base. There is an old triangular-shaped restoration towards the top which is not too noticeable due to mottling in the marble. Some minor losses around the edge. Some general miniscule chips which are hardly noticeable.
"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:
J. H. Gabriel, The Gilbert Collection, Micromosaics, London, 2000, pp. 114-115.

The mosaic illustrated here, whose ornamental motifs derive from the decorative repertoire of ancient mosaic art and whose technique employing large tesserae of compact colours and without shading explicitly recalls ancient Roman mosaics, depicts a tiger resting on a most realistic patch of grass, within a round field encircled by blue dots. The outermost part features a decorative motif set against a white background consisting of stylized mock drapery and eight butterflies corresponding to the eight sides of the octagon. The outermost band, which is enclosed within two yellow strips, consists of a white labyrinth pattern set against a red background.
The workmanship and the large size of the tesserae – whose materials, and their use, are meant to recall the world of the "commessi" of semi-precious stones and ancient marbles produced in Rome since the end of the 16th century–suggest that the surface illustrated here belongs to the Roman figurative culture and dates from the third quarter of the 19th century, between 1850 and 1870, and, especially, that it must not be wrongly considered a so-called minute or micro mosaic, which is usually made with shaded enamels and produces a pictorial effect. 

This dating is confirmed by some iconographic elements and, even more so, by the presence in the outer frame of the labyrinth pattern that recurred in some precious table tops produced in Rome during the second half of the 19th century for very high profile customers in the finest micro mosaic technique, which produced a remarkable pictorial effect thanks to the use of minuscule pastes of shaded colours with the particular procedure known as a smalto filato" (filament glass enamel technique)- see a mosaic table top, also Roman dating from the second half of the 19th century, in a Private collection.

From an iconographic standpoint, the tiger – and its position especially – reminds us of the Roman production of Decio Podio – the finest and most well-known "miniature" mosaic artist active in Rome during the second half of the 19th century-see Decio Podio, the "Tigress", micro mosaic, Rome, second half of the 19th century, Gilbert Collection, London, fig. 1.

The table tops were purchased in Rome by the Grand Touristes and taken back to the places they came from as precious souvenirs. They were then mounted on wood or bronze bases-which in some cases have been lost–produced by local craftsmen in the most diverse styles.

The above note is by Francesco Leoni, Rome, 6th September 2011. A copy in Italian is available from the department upon request. 

In addition to the note above it is also stated in the Gilbert Collection entry  for fig. 1,  that the composition is based on `Tigress Lying below the Rocks' by George Stubbs (1724-1806), of which three versions are known. The subject of the original painting was a tiger given to George Spencer, fourth Duke of Marlborough by Lord Clive , Governor of Bengal. Stubb's painting was engraved by John Dixon in 1772 as A Tigress and later on in 1798 by John Murphy after the Marlborough painting and one of these engravings probably served as a model for the mosaicist who executed the Gilbert's Tigress.The species of Indian or Bengal tigress is characterised by short fur and widely spaced stripes and its gender is indicated by a small rounded head, short nose and lack of ruff.