An Italian painted and parcel-gilt console table Rome, circa 1770

with a giallo antico marble top, with a penciled inscription at the back reading 'secondo salotto'

Formerly in an Italian aristocratic collection;
Sotheby's Milan, 20 June 2006, lot 361.

This magnificent console table is in good conserved condition. There are repairs to the supports, namely to the areas where they join the upper section, and to the stretcher. Largely re-gilt, the painted decoration has been refreshed, although it does retain a nice old craquelure. There are marks, chips and minor losses as expected and marks of old woodworm that appears to be no longer active. The original marble top is in good condition, with very minor chips as expected, and one small loss to the veneer on the right back corner.
"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:

M. Agnellini, Il mobile italiano del Settecento, Milan, 1990, p. 124.

M. Cera, Il mobile italiano, Milan, 1983, p. 152.

A. Gonzalez-Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto, Milan, 1984, fig. 152.

A. Gonzalez-Palacios, Il Patrimonio artistico del Quirinale, I mobili italiani, Milan, 1996, cat. 59.

A. Gonzalez-Palacios, "Due coppie di tavoli da Palazzo Borghese: 1773", in Antologia di Belle Arti, 63-66, 2006, pp. 95-99, fig. 78.

Positively rare in its transitional, original shape and design, this console table was almost certainly once part of a larger, imposing suite of furniture, of which a pair of small console tables was sold Sotheby's Florence, 17 November 1981, lot 541.

Relatable examples are found in a pair made for the Prince Borghese by Antonio Landucci (cf. Gonzalez-Palacios, 2006, fig. 78) and one other by the same intagliatore dating from 1773, with the legs carved a tutto tondo displaying eagles and dragons (Gonzalez-Palacios, 1996, cat. 59). The latter pair, although more elaborate and already neo-classical, displays a number of comparable features in the carving of the acanthus scrolls and drapery on legs and stretcher, and in the sculptural form of the legs, typically Roman. These tables, however, all feature a rectangular top; for a similarly pronounced top on a Roman one, cf. Agnellini, op. cit., p. 124.