Extremely Large Grand Tour Mid 19th Century Italian Specimen Marble Top

An extremely large mid 19th Century grand tour specimen marble top with rare and fine marble and hardstone examples.

Italy Rome Circa 1840- 1860

Inlaid with concentric rings of chevron-shaped marbles including: brocatelle, verde antico, giallo antico, portor, Sicilian Jasper, breche violette, rouge royale, porphyry, blue turquin, Siena, griotte, breche d;Alep, and many others.

Table tops of this sort required the skills of many craftspeople in order to be executed successfully. Firstly a suitable stock of marble fragments had to be acquired. The marbles then had to be sorted and grouped in order to create the most effective designs. Close study of these pieces reveals the harmonious colours employed in the best examples, as compared to the haphazard lack of organisation used in lesser pieces. The marbles in this piece have been arranged so that they complement the pieces inlaid near to them whilst at the same time not being so similar to their neighbours as to undermine the mosaic effect. The eye is not drawn to one inlaid specimen in particular but rather to the effect of the whole, exactly as the artisans who made this piece would have intended.

Pieces such as this were produced as the ultimate grand tour souvenirs during this period and could be acquired with a contemporary Italian-made base supplied by the same workshop and its allied suppliers or transported to the purchaser's home without a base, ready to be mounted in that person's country by a table maker of their choice.

Tops of this size and quality are extremely hard to find and often form parts of important museum and private collections.

Loveday Antiques is a family run business originally established since 1969 in London.

Now in its second generation, Loveday Antiques specialises in an eclectic mix of 18th to 20th Century European furniture and works of art, with a strong emphasis on quality, uniqueness and colour.

As proud members of BADA & LAPADA, the largest association for professional art and antique dealers in the United Kingdom and members of CINOA, the worldwide association for antique dealers you can buy from us with 100% confidence and reassurance as we are committed to upholding and abiding by the strict standards of each association.

Our clients can rest assured that each item is as described and photographed.

All Items are sold with 100% satisfaction 14 day money back guarantee, return delivery will be charged for.

We deliver within the UK for usually between £60-£80 and ship worldwide with professional bespoke crating via air to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

Delivery within the mainland UK will usually be with 7 to 14 days but please allow up to 28 days. We also ship worldwide with a professional bespoke crating service and large International couriers via air and sea to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

GOODS

All items listed are in excellent condition having been restored using traditional methods by experienced cabinet makers and polishers keeping the original colour and patina wherever possible.

Please bear in mind you may find the usual markings with antique furniture that are commensurate with age which all add to beauty and uniqueness of the item.

VIEWINGS

We have a reputation for being long established antique dealers in London having had showrooms concurrently running in Islington, Chelsea and Ascot. We have relocated our new showroom, due to London overheads, easily reached between A1 or A10 to just outside of Hertford, Hertfordshire.

We will happily arrange for clients to be collected travelling via train. Local stations being Hertford North, Stevenage and Ware, all being a 10 minute drive from us.

Please contact us for location and appointments.

Telephone: 01438 869 819

Payments accepted are Bank Transfer, Cheque, Major Credit Cards or Cash.

Opening Times

Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm Please email or call beforehand to make an appointment.

If outside of these times again please call to make an appointment

We have more than 40 years experience in supplying Antique furniture to the trade, public and interior designers from all parts of the world so please buy with confidence as we have passed the test of time.