OVAL TABLE
walnut veneer over wood, inlaid with rose ebony and cypress
This elegant centre table is distinguished by its oval shape and the exceptional mastery of inlay work that defines its entire aesthetic.
The structure of the table was expertly crafted from walnut wood, and enriched by predominant and meticulous inlay work and fine threading. Precious woods such as rosewood and cypress were used for the inlays, selected for their different shades, which create chromatic and luminous contrasts of great visual impact.
The elongated oval-shaped top is a true masterpiece of cabinet-making: in the centre, an elaborate inlaid composition delicately depicts musical instruments, surrounded by elegant festoons, phytomorphic and zoomorphic elements, all framed by a refined decoration of concatenated rings.
The motif of concatenated rings is repeated with stylistic coherence on the under-top band, giving unity to the overall piece. From this band depart the elegant truncated pyramidal legs, adorned with a series of vertical inlays depicting geometric patterns. These legs are connected at the sides by small, discreet corbels and end in turned feet. The upper part of the legs, where they attach to the band, also features an inlaid floral motif, echoing those on the top.
The style of this table, with its geometric inlays and refined floral and animal stylizations, is clearly attributable to Neoclassicism, particularly the First Empire period (late 18th – early 19th centuries). The meticulous millimetre precision of the inlays, the clean architectural forms, and the constant pursuit of balance and harmony are all distinctive characteristics of this prestigious period.
Lombardy, first quarter of the 19th century
cm 76x152x90
