Northern Italy, 18th century Scagliola tabletop Polychrome scagliola, 116 × 61 × 5.5 cm Elegant rectangular tabletop in polychrome scagliola decorated with a refined ornamental design in late Baroque taste. The composition is organized around a large central rhomboidal reserve inscribed within an elongated almond shape, defined by vegetal volutes, stylized racemes, and phytomorphic motifs arranged in a rigorous symmetrical pattern. The perimeter frame features a rich succession of ornamental elements with volutes, palmettes, volutes, and floral motifs, executed mainly in ivory white tones on a black background, with limited but effective color accents in yellow tones. The quality of the design and the balance of the decorative layout highlight the work's full belonging to the tradition of ornamental scagliola developed in Northern Italy between the 17th and 18th centuries, with particular reference to Emilian and Lombard productions intended for the decoration of aristocratic residences, city palaces, and representative homes. Scagliola is a decorative technique developed in Italy starting from the late 16th century and perfected in the 17th century, obtained by mixing finely ground selenite gypsum, animal glues, natural pigments, and colored earths. The material was worked in inlay or commesso, simulating with extraordinary effectiveness the preciousness of marble intarsia and hard stones. The excellent color contrast between the dark background and the light ornamental motifs is one of the most appreciated characteristics of 18th-century Northern Italian production. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, scagliola represented one of the most sophisticated expressions of Italian decorative arts. The main manufactories developed in the Emilian area, particularly in Carpi, Modena, and Reggio Emilia, and later in Lombardy and Tuscany, where the technique found wide diffusion in the decoration of altars, altar frontals, tables, consoles, and center tables. During the 18th century, mature Baroque taste evolved towards greater compositional regularity, favoring rigorous geometric patterns and ornamental repertoires derived both from the 17th-century tradition and from the archeological decoration that foreshadows Neoclassical taste. The present tabletop effectively fits into this transitional period, combining the richness of Baroque decoration with an extremely orderly and symmetrical compositional structure. The tabletop retains remarkable clarity of the ornamental apparatus and presents a decorative impact of great elegance. The two-tone combination of the deep black background and the fine white decoration creates a particularly refined graphic effect, highly appreciated today in the international decorative arts market. Due to its dimensions, quality of execution, and typological rarity, the artifact is an interesting example of 18th-century Italian scagliola production. ??All our works are accompanied by a detailed certificate of authenticity. ?? Professional packaging and insured shipping to guarantee maximum safety during transport. ?? For further information, do not hesitate to contact us +39 329 319 4887 –
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