Ebony Table Clock with Semi-Precious Stone Inlay, Central Italy, 18th Century

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Architectural table clock in ebony and semi-precious stones, made in central Italy in the 18th century, a fine example of … Read more Architectural table clock in ebony and semi-precious stones, made in central Italy in the 18th century, a fine example of late Baroque cabinetmaking, in which the elegance of classical architecture is combined with the decorative richness of the stone inlays. The case, entirely veneered in ebony, features an architectural structure marked by side pilasters and a broken cornice, embellished with a polychrome semi-precious stone inlay. Inlays of breccia, polychrome marbles, and lapis lazuli, framed by slender gilded profiles, create a sophisticated play of colors that enhances the austerity of the ebony. The dial, enclosed within a door with its original glass, is made of brass with Roman numerals for the hours and an outer minute track. The piece as a whole reflects the aesthetic that developed in central Italy during the 18th century, where the use of semi-precious stones—derived from the tradition of grand ducal and Roman workshops—also became widespread in the production of prestigious furnishings and objects intended for aristocratic residences. The mechanism is present but requires servicing and is therefore being sold as a piece requiring mechanical restoration. See less