An Italian specimen marble and pietre dure table top by Pietro Bazzanti, Rome, 1837

Hampel, 16th June 2010, lot 40.

The present top executed by the Bazzanti workshop follows the long tradition in Italy to produce prized pietre dure and marble works showcasing the natural beauty and colours of stones.

Established in 1822, Pietro Bazzanti established the 'Galleria Bazzanti' at Lungarno Corsini 12, Florence, with a focus in fine marble sculpture, mosaic, pietra dura and decorative objects they offered to visitors taking the Grand Tour in the 19th century. He was joined by his son Niccolò and together, they became the leading marble sculptors working in Italy in the 19th century, specialising in allegorical subjects as well as pieces inspired by Antique and Renaissance sculpture. The firm, still in operation today, participated in several major 19th century exhibitions, including Paris 1867, Vienna 1873, the Philadelphia Centennial of 1876, and Boston 1883, and were awarded several prizes.

Centre tables incorporating pietre dure tops signed by Bazzanti were sold at Christie's, London, 5 July 1990, lot 40 and at Christie's London, 29 November 1990, lot 267, the latter with the central medallion also depicting Roman ruins.