A gilt-metal-mounted ink and silk embroidered ebony guéridon table, possibly Viennese circa 1820

the top centred by a tondo with a map of Italy centred by the figure of Pax surrounded by images of the Muses and female deities including Euterpe and Minerva within lunettes with panels of  silk embroidery with scrolling flowers and foliage and stylised anthemions, on scrolled supports joined by a pierced trelliswork basket on outward scrolled legs with acorn finials on toupie feet

In overall good conserved condition. The colour of the embroidery is more vibrant and attractive than the catalogue photograph and is in very good condition. The grisaille panels are worked in very fine black thread, imitating very fine engraving. The central roundel design is worked in the same technique with the yellow and blue finely worked in polychrome silk threads. The arrowhead shaped areas with the scrollwork motifs and worked in polychrome silk threads with delicate gilt-metal thread (slightly tarnished) crossed binding for the motif holding the stems together. The small triangular panels are worked with gilt metal-thread anthemions (slightly darker edges). There is a slight water stain on the central roundel but this is not too noticeable.There is some spotting on some of the grisaille demi-lune panels on the top (see the catalogue image - far right two demi-lune panels - one with dark specks and the other with terracotta coloured specks. Most of them are in very good condition. There is a very minor chip to the glass to the underside of the glass to the demi-lune panel. There are vertical hairline and restored hairline cracks in the border of the top and generally but these have been well executed and hardly noticeable. The gilt-bronze rings at the top of the supports are slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste.
"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 exquisite guéridon/work table with the top mounted with painted silk and embroidered panels is very appropriate for a work table linking as it does with its basket below.  The central panel has a map of Italy with Parma and Tuscany highlighted in blue which at that time belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.