MID-19TH CENTURY

Details

AN ITALIAN MICROMOSAIC AND ORMOLU TABLE
MID-19TH CENTURY
The circular top of black marble inlaid with a scene of cupid taming the lion, inset within a stiff-leaf cast border and gilt-bronze tripod stand, on veined red marble base and black marble foot
29 ¾ in. (75.5 cm.) high; 13 ½ in. (34.5 cm.) diameter

Special notice

This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Paul Gallois

pgallois@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2260

Lot Essay

Cupid pacifying a lion with love is a playful symbol recurrent in art history - from a mosaic floor at Pompeii to a relief by Bertel Thorvaldsen. Exemplary of the work of mosaicists who founded their careers at the Vatican Mosaic Workshop and later established private studios, the style compares to a micromosaic copy of Guido Reni’s L’Aurora by Luigi Cavaliere Moglia (fl. 1823-1878) in the Museo Borgogna in Vercelli, Italy.

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