CIRCA 1815, THE TOP ATTRIBUTED TO ANTONIO AGUATTI

Details

An Italian micromosaic and patinated-bronze table
Circa 1815, The top attributed to Antonio Aguatti
The circular top centred by a rectangular image of the Rape of Europa, surrounded by four vases emblematical of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, joined by scrolling foliage, surrounded by an ivy and entwined ribbon border, with a geometrical interlaced frieze, supported by four monopodia panther herm figures, each with an acanthus lower terminal, joined by 'X'-shaped vertical stretchers, on paw feet, on four circular stepped spreading roundels
35½ in. (90 cm.) high; 38 in. (96.5 cm.) diameter

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This mosaic top may conceivably have been executed by Antonio Aguatti, one of the most celebrated Roman mosaicists, who signed a related mosaic tablet with Cupid-driven chariot that was later set into a Parisian snuff-box circa 1810 (C. Truman, The Gilbert Collection of Gold Boxes, Los Angeles, pp. 126 and 127). Interestingly, Aguatti also signed two other 'box' mosaics 'in piccolo' of spaniels, as well as a table top displaying a Cupid-driven chariot, which is now in the Hermitage (A. Gonzales-Palacios, The Art of Mosaics', Los Angeles, 1982, nos. 37 and 38).

A table with the same micromosaic top also attributed to Aguatti, but featuring Fidelity's triumph to its center, was sold in these rooms, 11 June 1998, lot 60, (GBP111,500).

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