AN ITALIAN SPECIMEN MARBLE TABLE TOP
Probably Rome, 17th century
With a central panel of alabastra fiorito, raised on four later marble supports.
width 88 5/8in (225.2cm); depth 53 5/8in (136.3cm); height of supports 17in (43cm)
Footnotes:
Provenance
Galerie Camoin, Paris, 11 June 1984.

The Roman technique of intarsio and commesso work is visible in this outstanding table top. Intarsio is an ancient technique of carving out a white marble slab in shaped geometric form and then inlaying them with cut out marble pieces that fit perfectly into the cut-out shapes. This gives the inset marble pieces a contrasting white frame, highlighting the pieces of geometric specimen marble. Commesso work is a mosaic technique of inlaying rare colored hardstones (pietra dure) where the underlying marble is not visible, to form a design. The origins of this work lie in ancient Rome and was revived during the Renaissance.

Early inlaid marble tabletops made during the Renaissance in Rome were of geometric designs, just as seen in wall paneling and floors in architecture. It is most likely this tabletop was made in Rome based on the technique and patterns used. The focus on the alabaster in the middle surrounded by a strapwork border and the absence of figural decoration shows the early revival of the ancient technique.
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