The present pair of occasional tables were constructed in the early 20th century, although they have been designed to simulate Spanish models from centuries earlier. The shaped legs take the form of Spanish Baroque trestle legs of the type that were found on benches and tables being made in Catalonia in the 17th century. Here we have two drawings of comparable trestle legs found on a bench in a private Spanish collection and another from the Valencia Don Juan Institute in Madrid. The legs, as well as the edge of the tabletop, are embellished with gold and turquoise painted arabesque designs. Read more... (454 words, 6 images, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
In mid-16th century Renaissance Italy, the production of panels and tabletops using inlays of semiprecious stone began, with materials and geometric designs deriving from classical Roman motifs.
However, the design of this particular tabletop, which is probably Roman circa 1680, represents a complete departure from this tradition in that it is a pure interpretation in mosaic of ancient marble, possibly Egyptian alabaster or giallo antico. We know of no other comparable example and, as such, believe this top to be probably unique. Read more... (212 words, 2 images, estimated 51 secs reading time)
Figure 1: Italian Inlaid Marble Tabletop. Carlton Hobbs LLC.
Our recent exhibition, “On Tops,” included a 19th century Italian table with geometric inlaid marble top (figure 1). The design for the top appeared to be based on 15th- and 16th-century Moresque decorative motifs found in Andalusia, which include arabesque designs and geometric patterns consisting of stars, ziggurats, and interlocking circles. The repeating designs on the present tabletop recall marble floors and tiles produced at this time. Another related source is found in the rich Sicilian-Moorish decoration of Caserta Vecchia’s 12th-century cathedral, where an arabesque design in various marbles features a similar color scheme as the present top, with a black background and complex interlaced white marble bands framing yellow and red star shapes. Read more... (352 words, 3 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)
Here at Carlton Hobbs we are in the final week of “ON TOPS: An exhibition of rare tabletops from the 2nd century AD to the 19th century,” which closes this Friday, May 22nd.
We have had a great response to the exhibition, thanks in part to this wonderful article by Wendy Moonan in the New York Times: Adorned Tabletops. From the moment the article came out, we’ve had a constant stream of visitors–some so eager to see the tops that they even arrived during the set-up! Read more... (245 words, 1 image, estimated 59 secs reading time)
