Italian partly ebonised walnut coffee table with scagliola top

Italian partly ebonised walnut coffee table with scagliola top
Italian, c.1840
Height 50cm, width 86cm, depth 51cm

This coffee table is a wonderful piece of Italian furniture, which features an exquisite scagliola top. Scagliola is a material which is made from a combination of plaster, pigments and glue. It is polished by hand to make a glossy, hard surface which simulates marble. The material first became fashionable in Italy in the 17th Century.

The rectangular top is designed with a central oval which depicts a Claudian landscape with figures in the foreground and Italianate buildings in the distance. This is framed by a variegated blue border, which is flanked by four corner-pieces containing images of red-crested birds perched on branches. These are set against black grounds, within grey-blue frames. The edge of the table is lined with a variegated blue band.

The tabletop is set on a walnut frieze which is supported by four legs. These legs are shaped like classical columns with ebonised shafts. They stand on a rectangular walnut base with waisted sides. This base is set on four slim block-like feet.