A VERY RARE HARDSTONE AND MARBLE INLAID SPECIMEN PRESENTATION CENTER TABLE

11693 A VERY RARE HARDSTONE AND MARBLE INLAID SPECIMEN PRESENTATION CENTER TABLE BEARING THE SYMBOLS AND INSCRIPTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY Probably Asunción, Paraguay. Third Quarter of the Nineteenth Century. Measurements: Height: 31 1/4″ (79.3 cm); Diameter: 34″ (86.3 cm).

Research
Of inlaid specimen hardstones. The circular top inlaid with Paraguayan specimen marbles in concentric geometric patterns, centered by a roundel inlaid with the inscription REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY surrounding the coat of arms of Paraguay. The top raised on a shaped baluster stem with central turned collar gadrooned base resting on a hexagonal plinth inset with rectangular stone panels on three sides. The whole resting upon an incurved triform plinth base. Three witness marks to platform and base of stem indicate a metal decorative connections, removed by a prior owner.

The top of the present table comprises over 50 specimens of hardstones and marbles inlaid in a geometric layout centered by the coat of arms of Paraguay, and is almost certainly one of only two known marble inlaid tables made in the third quarter of the nineteenth century that were sent by the Paraguayan government to foreign powers as diplomatic gifts. It is also the case that the present day Paraguayan geologists consulted in this research know of no other such tables, further indicating that the present table may be unique.

Full research report available on request.