Very Rare Marble Marquetry Table

Very rare table in marble marquetry (probably coming from an altar) probably yellow from Siena, red Campan cherry, Turquin grey, white from Carrara, violet brocatelle, antique green from Greece, and lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. The composition presents a complex play of interlacing and stylized flowers in perfect symmetry. Italian work, from Naples In the style of Cosimo Fanzago (1591-1678) Beginning of the 18th century Usual restorations, rear frame, placed on a Plexiglas base to form a table H. 211 x W. 110 x D. 4 .5 cm and H. 73 cm (with base) The marble marquetry is part of the work of hard stones (called pietra dura in Italian). She was a great success in Italy, especially in Rome, then in Florence. This taste for polychrome marble then extended to Naples, the most important city in southern Italy, at the beginning of the 17th century. It is then very present in the churches and in particular on the facings of altars. The architect Cosimo Fanzago is one of the spearheads of this Neapolitan school. His work is characterized by the use of a wide variety of marbles and mother-of-pearl, in particular as presented on our tray. He also uses the "giallo", a technique allowing to obtain a red chiaroscuro on the stone by heating, technique also used on our work. France is not to be outdone with the taste for hard stone. Indeed, under Louis XIV and with the foundation of the Gobelins, the cabinets exhibited in the large residences were adorned with this marquetry. Spain is also not to be outdone and follows the talent of the Italians. However, Italy remained a driving force thanks to the workshops created by the Medici family in 1588 in Florence.