An Italian alabastro fiorito topped ivory lacquered and carved giltwood demi-lune console table attributed to Gennaro di Fiore, Neapolitan, circa 1780

the frieze with a c-scroll cartouche on spirally turned legs with guilloche, the whole carved with ribbon-tied floral swags, flowerheads, roundels and guilloche

In overall good conserved condition. The top is most attractive with some very minor chips which are not too noticeable especially along the rear edge and some very minor restorations. The piece is a little dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. There are some scattered minor chips to the gilding and some scattered hairline age cracks commensurate with age and can be left . Evidence of old very minor worm which appears to be no longer active. The revers of the two front legs have some largish chips to the decoration which can easily be touched up.
"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:
Alvar Gonzáles-Palacios, Catalogue of the Exhibition Civilta dell’700 a Napoli,  1734-1799, Vol. II, Florence, 1980, pl. 443, 445.                                      
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile Neoclassico in Italia Arredi e Decorazioni d’Interni dal 1775 al 1800,Milan, 2005, pp. 80-82 and pp. 86-87, no. 14.  
G. Chiesa, Il Settecento, Mobili-Arti decorative-Costume, Milan, 1974, p. 125, plate 141.

The superlative carving and unusual design of this console table with its delicate sculptural floral garlands and spirally turned legs in carved giltwood on an ivory ground, are a tour de force and demonstrates the skill of the celebrated Neapolitan intagliatore Gennaro Di Fiore. Some pieces attributed to Fiore including a console table in Caserta are discussed in detail by A.G.-Palacios, op. cit., pl. 443, 445.

Although no documents relating to the offered console table survive to enable an attribution to one of the recorded Neapolitan carvers, the attribution of the offered lot to Gennaro Di Fiore can be made on the basis of the quality of the carving and its similarity to other recorded console tables made for the Neapolitan Royal Palaces attributed to this maker, who worked for the most important Partenopean families during the second half of the 18^th century. This unusual console table is almost certainly the pendant to the one illustrated by Chiesa, op. cit., p. 125, plate 141, now in the Museo Correale di Terranova, Sorrento.

It is also worthwhile noting a console table in the Museo e Gallerie Nazionali di Capodimonte, Naples, dating to the last quarter of the 18^th century, illustrated by Colle, op. cit., p. 81, no. 12 and although no firm attribution is made to Di Fiore the author states that it is probably from his workshop.  A console table probably by the same maker of demi-lune form with very similar garlands and distinctive legs is also illustrated by Colle, op. cit., p. 82 (Floridiana, Naples). Furthermore, the same author, op. cit., p. 80, illustrates another console table in Palazzo Reale, Caserta with similarly carved floral garlands on the frieze to those on the offered console table.  Another related example of demi-lune form with ribbon-tied floral swags on the frieze in the same colour tones stated to be in the neo-classical taste of Carlo Vanvitelli, the Neapolitan court architect and possibly by Gennaro Fiore, is also illustrated by Colle, op. cit., p. 86, no. 14.