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Lot Essay
Almost certainly acquired on the Grand Tour, this scagliola table top, with its distinctive design of scattered and torn cards and domestic objects, such as the embossed leather-bound book and necessaire, belongs to a small group of related tables which can now be firmly given to Laurens Bounucelie. An almost identical table top, similarly signed on the Knave of Hearts Laurentius Bonucelli and supported on its original George III mahogany base of circa 1760, was sold by the Trustees of the Callaly Castle Chattels settlement, Christie's House Sale, 22-24 September 1986, lot 117 (45,000).
Further related tables, also probably acquired on the Grand Tour by English milords, are at Wilton House, Wiltshire and at Althorp House, Northamptonshire, the latter depicting a game of picquet (illustrated in 'Althorp House, Northamptonshire', Country Life, 7 May 1959, p.1022). A final example, also depicting torn cards, was sold anonymously at Sotheby's London, 3 July 1953, lot 285.
Further related tables, also probably acquired on the Grand Tour by English milords, are at Wilton House, Wiltshire and at Althorp House, Northamptonshire, the latter depicting a game of picquet (illustrated in 'Althorp House, Northamptonshire', Country Life, 7 May 1959, p.1022). A final example, also depicting torn cards, was sold anonymously at Sotheby's London, 3 July 1953, lot 285.