A pair of Italian pale green, turquoise and pink lacquered console tables, Genoese, circa 1760

the later veined red and grey marble tops of serpentine form above a moulded serpentine frieze with a central pierced rocaille and double C-scroll cartouche headed by a cabochon and with a foliate pendant flanked by acanthus scrolls, the side friezes with acanthus cartouches centred by cabochons, on four moulded cabriole legs headed by bold acanthus scrolls above trailing bellflower sprays on scroll feet

These extremely elegant tables are in good conserved condition. The decoration has been refreshed; two legs have a repaired break, and the feet have probably been repaired.
"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:
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile Rococò in Italia,Milan,2003, p. 264 - 266.
Helen Constantino Fioratti, Il Mobile Italiano, Milan, 2004, fig. 285, p. 175.
Alvar González-Palacios, Il Mobile in Liguria, Genoa, 1996, fig. 248, p. 217 and fig. 251, p.219.
Lelio Canonero, Barochetto Genovese,Milan, 1962, plates XVI and LV.

This attractively carved pair of consoles is a very fine example of Genoese polychrome furniture of the third quarter of the eighteenth century. Although their exuberant form is inspired by rococo furniture design in Turin and Paris, the use of vibrantly polychrome decorated surfaces is a particularly Genoese feature more influenced by Venetian taste. 

A green and gold console table in the Palazzo Doria in Genoa is illustrated by Colle, op. cit., p. 267 and an extraordinary side table in green yellow, pink and silver with very similar floral sprays on the legs to those on the present tables, formerly in the Palazzo Durazzo, Genoa, is illustrated by Fioratti, op. cit., fig. 285, p. 175.  Further related examples in private collections are illustrated by González-Palacios, op. cit., fig. 248, p. 217 and fig. 251, p. 219.

Another particularly distinctive Genoese characteristic is the prominent overhanging acanthus scroll at the top of the legs which was often used on both polychrome and giltwood console tables, several examples of which, emanating from diverse Genoese palaces, are illustrated by Colle, op. cit., p. 264-66.