A pair of Italian carved giltwood console tables, Roman, third quarter 18th century

each with a serpentine veneered Sienna marble top above a pierced frieze on downscrolled cabriole legs joined by a X-form stretcher centred by a pierced scrolled cartouche, the whole carved with flowers, leaves and rocaille

Sebastian Schutze, Palazzo Sacchetti, Rome, 2003, one is illustrated p. 15, in the Stanza di Annibale. 

In overall good conserved condition.There are some minor sections of marble veneer missing on the rear right corner of one top and rear edge of the same top approx. 20x 2cm and rear left corner and edge of the other which can easily be restored. There are also some minor chips to the marble. The giltwood bases are a little dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. There are some old very minor chips to the giltwood and some hairline construction cracks which can be left and they are not too noticeable. On one table one swag is missing and on the other part of a swag has been restored but reaffixed in a different position and the carving and colour differs to the other. Five swags are missing but are not too noticeable and does not detract from the piece.There have been some old minor restorations to the carving on both tables. The front of both stretchers have a section chipped off the acanthus leaf as visible in the catalogue photograph but this is not too 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:
Alvar González-Palacios, I Mobili Italiani, Il Patrimonio artistico del Quirinale, Milan, 1996, p. 175, no. 51, no. 176, no. 52.
Alvar González-Palacios, Fasto Romano, catalogue of the exhibition at Palazzo Sacchetti, Rome, 1991, Tav. LV, pp. 175-178.
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile Rococo in Italia Arredi e Decorazioni d'Interni dal 1738 al 1775, Milan, 2003, pp. 148-151, no. 32, for a similarly carved console table in Palazzo Corsini, Rome Accademia dei Lincei.

This elegant and sculpturally carved pair of console tables decorated with flowers, leaves and rocaille, x-form stretcher and veneered siena marble top are typical of Roman console tables of this period, several similar examples of which are illustrated by A.G.P., op. cit., pp. 175-178. This table bears strong similarities to several rococo console tables illustrated by Colle, op. cit., pp. 148-150, especially no. 32, including those in the Academia dei Lincei in the Palazzo Corsini, Rome. They were all made for the Corsini family by the intagliatore Nicola Carletti active circa 1768 and 1769, a name that is associated with this type of elaborately carved console table for the Roman aristrocratic Palazzos. Other similar tables can be found in Palazzo Pallavinci Rospigliosi and Palazzzo Doria Pamphili and in the Odescalchi collection.

Several related console tables have been sold at auction including lot 168, in these Rooms, December 2001, lot 168 and Christie's, London, June 2001, lot 331.  Also see a single one sold in these Rooms, 4th December 2012 (£61, 250).