A North Italian Neoclassical giltwood console table possibly Tuscany late 18th century With Siena marble veneered top, with old printed paper label 371 / CARACCIOLO to underside. height 36in (91.5cm); width 49in (124.5cm); depth 24in (61cm) Provenance: Sold Sothebys, New York, 27 April 2007, lot 340. Property from a curated Montecito Residence. Footnote: The Caracciolos are the oldest of the Neapolitan noble families. Family history dates back to Byzantium in the 4th century and settling in Naples in the 8th or 9th century. The inventory label on this table identifies the provenance as in the collection of the family in the 19th century. Throughout its history family members were actors, admirals, archbishops, artists, cardinals, cinematographers, conductors, counts, designers, dukes, publishers and princes. One family candidate who may have owned this piece is admiral and revolutionist Prince Francesco Caracciolo (18 January 1752 – 30 June 1799). Francesco Caracciolo gained most of his experience as a naval officer fighting for the British against the Americans in the American Revolution (1775–83). He returned to Naples in 1781 and, under Admiral Horatio Nelson, fought the French at Toulon in 1793. Caracciolo continued to fight them even after King Ferdinand IV of Naples signed an armistice with Napoleon. Later, in 1798, the French captured Naples, and Ferdinand fled to Palermo aboard Nelson’s ship, with Caracciolo following behind. During the voyage, a storm arose that nearly caused Nelson’s ship to founder, while Caracciolo sailed through it easily; afterward, Ferdinand praised Caracciolo’s seamanship, thus allegedly arousing Nelson’s jealousy.

Well made. Structurally sound. General marks, scratches , rubbing and wear. Scattered losses to surface revealing white gesso and bare wood in areas. With cracks, scattered chips, minor losses and areas of restoration to top.