An Early 19th Century Italian Scagliola Table Top

An Early 19th Century Italian Scagliola Table Top

Italy, circa 1840.

Dimensions:
Diameter: 63cm / 24.8 Inches 

An elegant and finely executed early 19th century Italian scagliola table top, retaining its original signed surface. The top is beautifully enriched with a leaf-moulded edge, framing a delicately composed floral band that surrounds a central panel. The colouring and definition demonstrate the high level of skill associated with Italian scagliola workshops of this period.

Scagliola is a historic Italian decorative art that originated in 17th-century Tuscany. Made from a refined mixture of powdered gypsum, natural pigments and glue, it was developed to imitate costly marbles and pietra dura inlays with remarkable realism. Although its roots can be traced to ancient Roman techniques, scagliola flourished in Baroque Italy and was widely adopted throughout Europe as an elegant and economical alternative to hardstone inlay, particularly in architectural and furniture decoration.

This table top is a fine example of the craft, combining decorative richness with restrained classical balance, and would make a striking centrepiece either mounted on a period base or displayed as a decorative object in its own right.

PRICE: £3,800