Join our newsletter
Sign up for email updates on new product arrivals, promotions and information
Nicholas Wells Antiques is privileged to unveil a transcendent masterpiece of the 19th century Italian craftsmanship: a Magnificent Specimen Pietra Dura Table Top attributed to the illustrious Giacomo Raffaelli, resplendently paired with a carved Rosewood Centre Table bearing the esteemed hallmark of Gillows. This table, a paragon of fine artistry and opulent design, represents an interlacing of prestigious provenance and unparalleled skill.
The Pietra Dura Table Top, a canvas of solid Portoro marble, comes alive with an inlay of three hundred and seventy-three specimens of the most exquisite hardstones. This includes agates, jaspers, and a selection of semi-precious stones, each piece meticulously placed with the utmost precision to celebrate the radiance of natural minerals. The variety boasts the richness of Lapis Lazuli, the deep purples of Amethyst, the earthy veins of Malachite, the fiery hues of Carnelian, and many more, culminating in a symphony of natural beauty.
At its foundation, the table’s base—crafted from and veneered in the sumptuously coloured Rosewood—is a testament to the superior workmanship of Gillows. The base’s carving, with its elegant contours and stately presence, provides a sturdy yet graceful support to the magnificent tableau above.
Giacomo Raffaelli, a maestro born into a venerable lineage of glass manufacturers, emerged as a pioneer, his renown as a glass mosaicist only rivaled by his acumen as a lapidary artist. His creations exuded innovation, his mastery over micromosaics earning him not just acclaim but also placing him at the forefront of the objets d’art realm. It was this relentless pursuit of perfection and a fascination with the minerals that led to the commission by George Clavering-Cowper, 3rd Earl Cowper, foreshadowing the magnificence of the work we present today.
The table top embodies the zenith of Roman Neoclassicism, each chosen specimen a deliberate nod to the intellectual rigour and artistic vitality of the era. The materials reflect a collection akin to that of Faustino Corsi, a contemporaneous connoisseur of stones whose catalog of ancient marbles inspired an epoch of such ornate creations.
It was Raffaelli’s audacious quest for the unique and obscure that set his works apart, crafting collections of such singularity that they transcended the traditional offerings cherished by Grand Tour aficionados. The resulting design, with its rare specimens and intricate patterns, elevates this top to the epitome of museum quality—a genuine rarity in the realm of inlaid workmanship.
This museum-quality piece, measuring approximately 30 inches in height and 39.5 inches in diameter, invites a discerning eye to appreciate its historic significance and the impeccable intricacy that defines it as the finest specimen of inlaid artistry one may ever encounter. It is with great pride that Nicholas Wells Antiques presents this historical artifact, an enduring tribute to the legacy of Giacomo Raffaelli and the unparalleled craftsmanship of an era rich in aesthetic grandeur and artisanal excellence.
Nicholas Wells Antiques advisors are available to answer all your questions.
Discover the antiques you missed, and register your interest for similar pieces.
Stock Number: 93398
This unique piece is subject to availability.
Call directly to secure it:
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 6920 897
Sign up for email updates on new product arrivals, promotions and information
© 2022 Nicholas Wells Antiques Ltd, All rights reserved
If you are interested in this piece and would like to see if there is any movement on price, please fill in the required details below.
Please note, making an offer excludes packing and shipping.
"*" indicates required fields
Approximate Dimensions
Period & Circa Date:
Style:
Maker:
Techniques:
Thank you for registering your interest. If it becomes available again, we shall be in touch.
"*" indicates required fields
Register your interest in similar items. Please elaborate on your requirements and budget in the text box below.
"*" indicates required fields
Find it. Love it. Art Money it.
Any list price purchase is applicable.
Benefit from 0% finance over 10 months with our finance partner Art Money.
Additional packing and shipping charges are added to the total.
Please contact us if you would like to benefit from this service.
"*" indicates required fields
If you have any specific questions regarding this piece, please use the form below.
"*" indicates required fields
Our description of any item on the website, any condition report and any other statement made by us (whether orally or in writing) about any item, including about its nature or condition, artist, period, materials, approximate dimensions, or provenance are our opinion and not to be relied upon as a statement of fact.
In the UK Online sales of this kind are known as ‘distance selling’. We offer a refund to customers if you’ve told us within 3 days of receiving the goods that you want to cancel. You have another 14 days to return the goods once you’ve told us of your intention. A refund will be issued within 14 days of receiving the goods back in the same condition. Return shipping should be the same level as received with insurance, we recommend using the same shipper at your cost. If needed we will help organise suitable shipping.
We will refund the purchase price, excluding delivery costs and taxes, within 14 days of the safe receipt of items in the same condition as supplied. The liability for any damage incurred during transit will remain with the sender. We recommend that adequate insurance is placed on items when returning them to us.
All returns must be communicated prior to an item being sent back.
We extend these Return terms to our international clients.
We will ship worldwide however the costs vary between countries so please email us for a quote. Depending on the item we will recommend the most suitable method.
Our preferred international shipping methods include fine art shippers Gander and White, Art Logistics, Cadogan Tate for items over £5,000. For Fedex, DHL or UPS shipments we expertly pack in-house in wooden crates or heavy duty cardboard – Suitable for most items under £5000. If you have your own shippers we are very happy to coordinate with them.
All items are sent fully insured at the invoice value.
All items are inclusive of all local taxes but may be subject to additional charges for importation and taxes local to the client. Antiques are zero-rated to the USA, all items ship with the correct paperwork. While we are not liable for these additional charges we do encourage clients to research these prior to purchasing items from us. We will make a full value disclosure, as required by the insurance, on all items sent overseas. This is required to ensure proper insurance cover in sending valuable items.
Where required we will oversee the completion of all export licenses for high-value items. We will also arrange for CITES paperwork for materials of endangered species including ivory, tortoiseshell, stuffed birds etc.
This is dependent on the size and value of the object, all items are checked over and polished before shipping and will generally have wooden crates made. This all takes time so expect 10 – 20 working days for delivery unless the item is small in which case 2-3 days from order.
Every effort is made to make Customs Clearance as quick as possible, items held in customs are out of our control. They may require documents / ID to release the goods, please keep this in mind, it is just procedure.
All our antiques now also come with an invoice as a Valuation Certificate for insurance purposes.