Circa 1880 Italian Walnut and Maple Renaissance Style Center Table, Todi, Umbria

Description

An amazing piece of Italian furniture dating to circa 1880, this Renaissance-style center table has been hand-carved in walnut and … more An amazing piece of Italian furniture dating to circa 1880, this Renaissance-style center table has been hand-carved in walnut and maple woods in Todi (a town within the region of Umbria). The octagonal top, which has an underlying crenelated apron, has beautiful inlaid imagery, arranged in three tiers, that cover most of the geometrical surface. A center octagon, with a repeating key motif, encircles a lovely symmetrical display of foliage emanating from a circle. The middle tier, which is surrounded by three thin lines, has a mythological theme, with sphinxes on top of foliate rinceaux, flanked by stylized dolphins with floral tails. These fictitious creatures alternate with large flowering urns. Finally, the outer inlay consists of rinceaux emanating from bearded mascarons, all encompassed by a fluted border. The inlays are comprised of a mixture of gold, brown, black, red, and yellow tiles, providing a visually stunning palette.

As impressive as the top is, the base is not to be outdone, as evidenced by the four huge paw feet embellished with foliate “fur”. A scaled volute rises from the topmost leaf tip, with two more whorls bundled by crinkled ribbon situated closer to the center of each leg. Beneath the bundled volutes are consoles embellished with heraldic charges, ranging from the letters “G” and “F”, to chevrons, a cross, and various bends. The well-carved imagery surrounds a vertical pilaster with an inlaid gold rectangle on each side. Our Renaissance-style center table from Todi, Italy, is an impressive work of art that would make quite an impression in a grand foyer, library, or living room.

*For shipping and transportation, the top can be removed from the base.* less