What defines late 18th-century Italian Neoclassical furniture design?

Late 18th-century Italian Neoclassical furniture is characterised by straight lines, geometric proportions, and architectural motifs inspired by classical Greco-Roman archaeology. Pieces typically feature fluted tapered legs, carved foliage, masks, gilded finishes, and marble tops, departing from the elaborate curves of the earlier Rococo period.

What materials were traditionally used in 18th-century giltwood furniture?

Giltwood furniture from this era was constructed using softwoods such as pine or lime, carved with detailed motifs and coated in layers of gesso. Gold leaf was then applied using water or oil gilding techniques, frequently paired with thick slabs of naturally veined quarry marble for tops.

How can one identify an authentic 18th-century giltwood marble table?

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-carved tool marks on the wooden frame, natural wear or oxidisation revealing the underlying red clay bole beneath the gilding, and hand-cut, unpolished undersides on the stone top. Traditional joinery, such as pegged mortise and tenon joints, is also indicative of the period.

How should a Neoclassical giltwood console table be styled in a modern interior?

A Neoclassical console table can be anchored against a neutral wall in an entryway or hallway. Pairing the detailed carved base with modern artwork, simple ceramics, or a large contemporary mirror creates a balanced contrast between historical craftsmanship and clean modern design.

How should giltwood and marble surfaces be preserved and maintained?

Giltwood should be dusted gently using a soft, dry brush, avoiding water or liquid cleaners which dissolve gesso and gold leaf. Marble surfaces should be wiped with a damp cloth using pH-neutral stone soap, avoiding acidic cleaning agents that etch natural stone.

for sale €10,238 $11,113

£8,750

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Gold Leaf Entry Table

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Neoclassical Marble Top Table

Eighteenth Century Console Table

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Late 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Marble Top Console Table

Name: Late 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Marble Top Console Table
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1214660
Price: 8750 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Loveday Antiques

Description

Very fine late 18th Century Italian gilt wood console table with marble top possibly from Florentine.

Italian Possibly Florentine - Circa 1780

This exceptionally fine table, of rectangular design, achieves its exquisite decorative impact through intricate gilded carving. In contrast to French pieces of the same era relying on ormolu mounts or English counterparts emphasizing inlay or painted detail, this table stands out as a masterful display of carving.

The top has a carefully selected fossil marble, chosen for its delightful colour and figuring, complemented by a complex moulded edge for added decorative flair. The top is supported by a conventional four legged side table base with a protruding central section and protruding blocks where the legs meet the frame. These blocks are ornamented with finely carved floral paterae and the central section has a mask of Apollo, the sun god, with the rays of the sun visible behind his face

Beyond his role as the sun god, Apollo, also associated with arts and poetry, hints at the original owner’s cultured taste. There are also very fine panels of floral ornament to the front and both sides of the frieze of the table-discussed below. All of these panels are surrounded by beautiful carved beaded mouldings. The legs on the table incorporate beading, turning, swags of harebells, fluting, spiral fluting and terminate in carved toupie feet. The gilded surface has been burnished in places and left matte in others in the manner of a fine piece of ormolu and this would have reflected candlelight in the most magnificent manner when the piece was first unveiled. The marble top has an historic professional repair, which is often the case with heavily veined marble like this example, and almost invisible to the eye.

The Source for the Carved Floral Ornament

It is highly likely that the floral ornament carved with such delicacy on the front and sides of the frieze of the table was drawn from the work of G. B. Piranesi, and in particular a vase from the Borghese villa illustrated in his seminal Vasi, owned at the time by William Beckford Snr. The relevant plate is illustrated here-see the base of the vase which employs a highly similar decorative frieze consisting of central flower and scrolling foliage.

A related table is illustrated in G. Morazzoni, IL MOBILE NEOCLASSICO ITALIANO, pl. CXCI

Width: 44 3/4 inches - 114cm

Height: 32 3/4 inches - 83cm

Depth: 22 1/2 inches - 57cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

83cm (32.68")

Width

114cm (44.88")

Depth

57cm (22.44")

Declaration

Loveday Antiques has dated this Giltwood Marble Console Table to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1214660

Dealers Internal Reference

2952

Dealers Notes

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.

Description

Very fine late 18th Century Italian gilt wood console table with marble top possibly from Florentine.

Italian Possibly Florentine - Circa 1780

“

This exceptionally fine table, of rectangular design, achieves its exquisite decorative impact through intricate gilded carving.

Loveday Antiques

In contrast to French pieces of the same era relying on ormolu mounts or English counterparts emphasizing inlay or painted detail, this table stands out as a masterful display of carving.

fig 1. An 18th-century Italian Neoclassical console table with a grey veined marble top, detailed carved giltwood frieze, central mask motif, and four tapered fluted legs. — fig 1. Late 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Marble Top Console Table

The top has a carefully selected fossil marble, chosen for its delightful colour and figuring, complemented by a complex moulded edge for added decorative flair. The top is supported by a conventional four legged side table base with a protruding central section and protruding blocks where the legs meet the frame. These blocks are ornamented with finely carved floral paterae and the central section has a mask of Apollo, the sun god, with the rays of the sun visible behind his face

fig 2. An 18th-century Italian Neoclassical console table with a grey veined marble top, detailed carved giltwood frieze, central mask motif, and four tapered fluted legs. — fig 2. Late 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Marble Top Console Table

Beyond his role as the sun god, Apollo, also associated with arts and poetry, hints at the original owner’s cultured taste. There are also very fine panels of floral ornament to the front and both sides of the frieze of the table-discussed below. All of these panels are surrounded by beautiful carved beaded mouldings. The legs on the table incorporate beading, turning, swags of harebells, fluting, spiral fluting and terminate in carved toupie feet. The gilded surface has been burnished in places and left matte in others in the manner of a fine piece of ormolu and this would have reflected candlelight in the most magnificent manner when the piece was first unveiled. The marble top has an historic professional repair, which is often the case with heavily veined marble like this example, and almost invisible to the eye.

fig 3. An 18th-century Italian Neoclassical console table with a grey veined marble top, detailed carved giltwood frieze, central mask motif, and four tapered fluted legs. — fig 3. Late 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Marble Top Console Table

The Source for the Carved Floral Ornament

It is highly likely that the floral ornament carved with such delicacy on the front and sides of the frieze of the table was drawn from the work of G. B. Piranesi, and in particular a vase from the Borghese villa illustrated in his seminal Vasi, owned at the time by William Beckford Snr. The relevant plate is illustrated here-see the base of the vase which employs a highly similar decorative frieze consisting of central flower and scrolling foliage.

A related table is illustrated in G. Morazzoni, IL MOBILE NEOCLASSICO ITALIANO, pl. CXCI

Width: 44 3/4 inches - 114cm

Height: 32 3/4 inches - 83cm

Depth: 22 1/2 inches - 57cm