Italian 18th Century Painted Console Table

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An extraordinary parcel gilt and polychrome console table from Italy, circa 1780, which has miraculously retained its stylized Greco-Roman hand-painted … Read more An extraordinary parcel gilt and polychrome console table from Italy, circa 1780, which has miraculously retained its stylized Greco-Roman hand-painted illustrations in a palette of green, yellow, and red. As if an artifact from Pompeii, whose rediscovery was shaping Grand Tour fashion, the table top features an illustration of a Greek-style vessel (krater) depicting a reclining male youth joined by a harpist to the left and an offering of fruit to the right. Spanning the apron of the table is a repetitive line of palmette design in black over a pistachio-green background, which may be "lacca povera" - a type of Italian decoupage for faux-finishing. The tops of the square legs feature a geometric design in gold gilt reminiscent of a Greek Key before tapering to the floor. This antique console manages to span two millennia of decorative arts traditions - from the ancient world to the 18th century revival - and yet still feels unique for the modern interior by its own artistic merits. Gently cleaned and polished with a French paste wax to preserve the delicate patina. Please view the detailed images to see the current condition as there are multiple areas of loss and craquelure. See less