Semiprecious-stone table
1738 - 1749. Agate, Gilt-bronze, Jasper, Ebony wood, Paragone, Amethyst, Lapis lazuli, Chalcedony.Room 089
The top of this rectangular table is inlaid with semiprecious stones on a touchstone background. Its chalcedony volutes are framed by interlaced flowers, fruit and leaves with birds and butterflies, all rendered in various types of jasper, amethyst and agate. An empty space at the center is occupied solely by a pearl necklace with a lapis-lazuli ribbon. The gilded bronze edge has asymmetrical cartouches at the corners, hanging over the high ebony skirting whose sides have similar cartouches with lapis-lazuli plaques. The triangular feet have lapis-lazuli plaques and gilded bronze festoons with semiprecious-stone fruit. This work shows a certain renovation of the conception of bronze finishes that lies between the baroque and rococo styles. It was gilded by bronze worker Giacomo Ceci, who also made its bronze adornments. Made in Naples at the Real Laboratorio delle Pietre Dure under the direction of Francesco Ghingi it is dated between 1738 and 1749 in a memorandum from the Marquis of Acciajoli to Fogliani dated October 26, 1749, and a letter from Francesco Ghingi to Anton Francesco Gori dated April 24, 1753. The finished table was presented to the monarchs, and so pleased the king that he commissioned another to accompany it (O00512) (Text from González-Palacios, A.: Las colecciones reales españolas de mosaicos y piedras duras, 2001, pp. 140-145).
