{"product_id":"untitled-jun2_13-03-44","title":"19th Century Italian Grand Tour Commesso di Marmi Specimen Marble Table Top","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRome, circa 1850\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly accomplished Roman \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecommesso di marmi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e specimen marble table top, executed in the finest Grand Tour tradition and centred by an exquisitely detailed micromosaic view of St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced in Rome during the mid-nineteenth century for the flourishing Grand Tour market, the top represents a celebration of Italy’s rich geological and artistic heritage. Concentric bands of carefully selected specimen marbles and hardstones radiate from the central micromosaic, creating a striking composition that combines architectural perspective, colour and natural pattern into a single decorative object.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe micromosaic depicts Bernini’s celebrated Piazza San Pietro, with its embracing colonnades, central obelisk and the great dome of St Peter’s Basilica beyond. Encircling the scene is a vibrant malachite band, its vivid green tones providing a dramatic visual contrast to the surrounding marbles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe top incorporates an extensive range of ornamental stones traditionally favoured by Roman workshops, including brecciated marbles, serpentines, porphyries and other decorative hardstones sourced from across the Italian peninsula and beyond. The remarkable variety of colours and naturally occurring patterns reflects the nineteenth-century fascination with geology, archaeology and the rediscovery of the ancient world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccompanying the table top are two original specimen marble sample bars, illustrating many of the stones employed in its construction and providing an unusual educational element seldom encountered with surviving examples.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the nineteenth century, such tables were acquired by affluent travellers as tangible souvenirs of their journeys through Italy, serving both as works of art and as demonstrations of connoisseurship. Today they remain among the most iconic expressions of the Grand Tour aesthetic, equally at home within classical, contemporary and eclectic interiors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA closely related Roman specimen marble table top of comparable scale, also dating to circa 1850, was sold by Sotheby’s, London, demonstrating continued collector demand for these highly decorative and increasingly scarce works.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe table top is presented on a later alabaster pedestal and displays a small number of historic restorations commensurate with age and use. These are stable and unobtrusive and do not detract from the exceptional decorative impact of the piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRome, circa 1850\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 46\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Collection, England.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistoric restorations and minor repairs consistent with age and use. Later alabaster pedestal. Overall presentation exceptionally decorative with vibrant colour throughout, particularly within the malachite surround and central micromosaic panel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael Treasure Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58241114112381,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0633\/9801\/9304\/files\/EBB6EB2D-3BA9-43A3-845A-4B52440D4A8F.png?v=1780407896","url":"https:\/\/michaeltreasureantiques.com\/products\/untitled-jun2_13-03-44","provider":"Michael Treasure Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}