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Lot Essay
This marble table on ‘trapezophoron’ lion legs derives from Roman antiquity. There is a marble support for a Roman table composed of a lion head and claw in the Vatican. The direct stylistic antecedent is a table unearthed in the peristylium of the Casa dei Vettii, a Roman townhouse in Pompeii, which was excavated between 1894 and 1896.
These side tables were known as mensae vasariae and were used for the display of vases, lamps, etc. Antique sculpture and works of art found in Pompeii where copied by the Neapolitan artistic foundries and a similar marble described as ‘table ronde en marbre – Pompéi (Maison de Vittii)’ is illustrated in the catalogue of J. Chiurazzi & Fils – S. De Angelis & Fils, Fonderie Artistiche Riunite, Naples, p. 449
Until recently this table was in the loggia at North Mymms Park, Hertfordshire. The cool marble loggia, with its vaulted mosaic ceiling and ornate bronze door, is all that remains of substantial additions made to North Mymms after it was bought in 1893 by of Walter Hayes Burns (d. 1897) and his wife, Mary Lyman (d. 1919). Mary and her brother, J.P. Morgan (John Pierpont), the American financier and banker, often travelled together in Europe purchasing works of art, and it is possible that on one such trip this table was bought and came to North Mymms Park.
These side tables were known as mensae vasariae and were used for the display of vases, lamps, etc. Antique sculpture and works of art found in Pompeii where copied by the Neapolitan artistic foundries and a similar marble described as ‘table ronde en marbre – Pompéi (Maison de Vittii)’ is illustrated in the catalogue of J. Chiurazzi & Fils – S. De Angelis & Fils, Fonderie Artistiche Riunite, Naples, p. 449
Until recently this table was in the loggia at North Mymms Park, Hertfordshire. The cool marble loggia, with its vaulted mosaic ceiling and ornate bronze door, is all that remains of substantial additions made to North Mymms after it was bought in 1893 by of Walter Hayes Burns (d. 1897) and his wife, Mary Lyman (d. 1919). Mary and her brother, J.P. Morgan (John Pierpont), the American financier and banker, often travelled together in Europe purchasing works of art, and it is possible that on one such trip this table was bought and came to North Mymms Park.