Italian 18th Century Painted Console Table

Dimensions: 35 ½” H x 41 ¾” W x 20 ½” D

An extraordinary parcel gilt and polychrome console table from Italy, circa 1780, which has miraculously retained its handpainted, stylized Neoclassical illustrations in green, yellow, and red. As if an artifact from Pompeii, whose rediscovery and excavations along with the town of Herculanaeum where shaping 18th century fashion, the table top features an illustration of a Greek-style vessel (krater) depicting a reclining male youth joined by a harpist to the left and a character with an offering of fruit to the right. Spanning the apron of the table is a repetitive line of palmette design in black over a pistachio-green background, which may be “lacca povera” – a type of decoupage that made works such as this more cost-effective. The tops of the square legs feature a geometric design in gold gilt–reminiscent of a Greek Key–before tapering to the floor. This antique console manages to span two millennia of decorative arts traditions (from the ancient world to the 18th century revival of them) and yet still feels original for the modern interior by its own artistic merits. Gently cleaned and polished with a French paste wax to preserve the delicate patina. Please view the detailed images to see the current condition as there are multiple areas of loss and craquelure.