1950s, Emilio Martelli Italian Scagliola Inlay Trompe l'Oeil Marble Coffee Table

Description

An exquisite, artisan made marble top coffee table from the 1950s by the Italian artist, Emilio Martelli. This table was … more An exquisite, artisan made marble top coffee table from the 1950s by the Italian artist, Emilio Martelli. This table was created in 1957 with a marble top featuring a trompe l'oeil scene (with scagliola inlays) of playing cards, a folding fan, two rings, a necklace, and more! The marble table top is set upon a 4-leg base in brass or cast metal in a brass tone. This table is table No. 45 from Martelli's studio.

This table is amazing - such a wonderful work of art and furniture in one piece! The attention to detail, craftsmanship, and design are superb.

Emillio Martelli Bio
- Italian, 1913-2000
- Painter and artist who was known for creating scagliola works
- Definition of scagliola from buildingconversation.com - The term scagliola (pronounced scălliōla, with a silent g) derives from the Italian ‘scaglia’, a local name used in the Italian Alps for limestone (Oxford English Dictionary, 2012). Scagliola is a form of plaster, traditionally gypsum, which imitates decorative stone and has been widely used for the decoration of walls, columns, floors, fireplaces and table tops.
- Excerpt from the 1964 publication, Honolulu Memorial National Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, West Coast Memorial - East Coast Memorial by The American Battle Monuments Commission; Page 8: "The maps in the galleries, all 10 feet high, were designed by Mr. & Mrs. Lahey of Vienna, Virginia from data prepared for the purpose by the American Battle Monuments Commission; they were fabricated by Emillio Martelli of Florence, Italy under the technical supervision of Professor Bruno Bearzi of the same city, and of the Commission's Rome office. The maps are of scagliola, i.e. paintings on a special composition applied to a Carrara marble surface and glazed. Although scagliola has been used for centuries as one of the decorative fine arts, this application to maps is a novel development."

Date of Creation: 1957
Artist: Emilio Martelli
Country of Origin: Italy
Art Style: Trompe L'oeil

Markings:
- Paper Label on underside of marble top with the identifying information. Excerpts from the label include the following:

Florentine school of marble mosaic (scuola fiorentina del mosacio in marmoridea)
directed by the painter Emilio Martelli (diretta dal pittore Emilio Martelli)
Marble: Nero Italia
Article: No. 45 - Hearts & Ventaglio (Folding Fan)
1957
Made in Italy

- Written on the bottom side of the base frame:
VENTAGLIO ITALY (Folding Fan)
957/45

Materials:
- Table Top: Marble
- Base: Brass or Cast Metal in a Brass Tone Finish

Measurements:
- Diameter: 31.5" inches, round
- Height: 17" inches tall
- Table Top Thickness: 0.75" inches thick

Condition:
- Vintage condition with signs of age, use, and wear to piece throughout
- Signs of wear include: scratching/ signs of use on table top, two areas on the side of the top that is either a chip or a natural inclusion of the stone from the time of construction, pitting/ inclusions to entire top and sides of tables
- Loss of marble to edge does not detract from the overall presence of the piece
- Marble is a natural material and does show signs of age and use after 67 years!
- Tape residue on top of base frame from previous use of cloth taped in place between the top and base
- Verdigris in some areas on top of the base frame
- Please view ALL photos very carefully and in detail
- Please feel free to message me with any questions you might have - I'm happy to answer!


Questions:
- Have questions? If you’d like additional photos, information, or have questions of any kind, feel free to message me. I’ll be happy to answer! less