Rare Italian Rococo Giltwood Fossilized Marble Console Table ca. 1750

ITALIAN ROCOCO CARVED AND GILTWOOD CONSOLE TABLE DEPICTING THE AMERICAS

Probably Rome, circa 1750 | with later fossilized stone top

39 3/8" H x 21 7/8" D x 60 7/8" W

An exuberantly carved and gilded Italian console table executed during the mid-18th century, it features an angular molded apron with repeated beading along the lower edge over a frieze pierced with scrolling acanthus and opposing C-scrolls flanking a central mask, the deep apron continuing around the sides. The bold cabriole legs are carved with grotesque masks above the knees, these depicting the exoticism of The Americas with four stylized Native American heads with feathered headdresses. The legs are joined by an X-form stretcher richly carved with draped acanthus and centered by an urn finial issuing foliage from beneath. The table rests on large ball-and-talon feet.

The carved decoration is crisply detailed and retains much of its original gilding, this with extensive surface history of warm patination, later inpainting and darkly oxidized chips and craquelure.

The rectangular top a later replacement in fossilized stone veneer, the surface inlaid with a rectilinear border and finished with a shaped and molded edge. The stone is laid over a composite substrate, the cut surface revealing the dense aggregate of fossil fragments, shells, and contrasting mineral veining.

Condition: Replaced marble top. Extensive wear to the gilding throughout, much of it original though with many losses, cracks, chips and large areas of later gilding and inpainting/overpainting. Cracks in scrolled elements throughout. Some wiggle in the elements, though for the most part they are tight and sturdy. Ready to place.

ref. 507GPP02Q