Two of the grandest and most visually striking inlaid hardstone and antique marble table tops ever made were sold at Sotheby's London on 10 December 2015. The re-emergence of these two magnificent table tops was one of the most exciting artistic discoveries in this field recently. Long rumoured to have a connection with the famous Venetian palaces commissioned during the mid-16th century by the Grimani family, one of Venice's greatest families, this provenance has now been substantiated through archival sources. The tables remained in the Grimani family until 1830, when they were bought by the 3rd Earl of Warwick, after his Grand Tour in Europe, to add the collection of classical antiquities, works of art and magnificent furniture started by his father.
 
Made in Florence circa 1600-1620, the first was probably a gift from a member of the Medici family to the Grimani family. The abstract designs of this magnificent pietre dure top coupled with the arms and symbols of the Grimani Family found in this table are demonstrative of a highly unique piece of art. On an English Elizabethan style gilt wood base with a fluted frieze on four gadrooned and tapering legs incorporating strap work, the top incorporating various types of very fine hard stones including agates, jaspers, chalcedonies, lapis lazuli, amethyst, cornelians and more precisely: Diaspro di Sicilia, Agata di Siena, Diaspro di Boemia, Quarzo ametistino, Calcedonio orientale , Lapislazzuli, Agata di Germania, Diaspro di Barga, Diaspro sanguigno, Diaspro di Candia, Calcedonio di Volterra, Corniola.
 
The top is entirely inlaid with pietre dure while there is just small space left to Belgio nero marble that constitutes the background. The support is made of a white marble slab described as Carrarese in the archives (see post). A wide range of various types of pietre dure which Ferdinand I (1549 - 1609) demanded from different sites from the moment he became Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1587. Diaspro di Sicilia is most widely used in all its different typologies which correspond to each vein of origin. In the large central section of jasper shows shades varying from yellow to red and green, these also occur in the four narrow polygonal frames surmounted by Agata di Siena which adorn the empty cartouche made of Diaspro di Boemia. Diaspro di Boemia is also employed for the two vases centring the short side and resting on pillars of Diaspro di Sicilia. The outer frame is a mannerist tour-de-force made up of a continuous and inventive strap work of Diaspro reticolare di Sicilia and ten cartouches; eight of lapis lazuli and two of Quarzo ametistino. A further variation of Diaspro di Sicilia, with starkly contrasting white and yellow pattern, is draped around three of the four coats of arms.
Made with the same Diaspro di Sicilia is the lion of St Marks atop one of the Grimani emblems. The halo of the lion is also made of this type of jasper, whilst the wings are of Diaspro di Boemia and the book of Calcedonio orientale. Taking advantage of the transparency of this Indian precious stone, a canonical text 'PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEUS' was traced under the two plates of the book and is still visible.
The lapis lazuli, which stand out prominently among the decorations of the top is of the finest quality with an intense colour, hails from Persia (now Afghanistan). Another stone which can be noticed strongly in several sections of the top, and in varying typologies, is the agate. The four central sections are made of Agata di Siena and are placed to reflect each other. Agata di Germania is employed in the four circles at the very centre of the table and for the frames of the two opposing cartouches (which are above the cartouches of Quarzo ametistino). The external borders of these framed cartouches are made of red and white Diaspro di Barga. This material was used exclusively by the Medici and was extracted from the cave of Garfagnana inTuscany at the time of Francesco I, whilst the internal ovate is made of Diaspro sanguigno, a variety of Eliotropio from Sicily.
The uniform and vivid yellow stone that occurs in the four corner sections and the leaves is Diaspro di Sicilia; the nearby red stone, this one uniform and vivid as well, is Diaspro di Candia. The light and uneven strips of the Grimani emblems are made of Calcedonio di Volterra. The Corrniola constitutes the buttons and the claws which constellate the outside and interior borders, while the 'corno' of the Dogal headgear is made of Calcedonio orientale under which a coloured and metallic foil is placed. A comparable technique is employed to create the 'pearls' that adorn the head gear. They are sem-spheres made of Calcedonio orientale, mounted in the top and underlined by a silver foil. This is a specific technique of the Grand Ducal workshops, where it was still in use for several centuries.
The abstract designs of this magnificent top coupled with the armorial crests found in this table are demonstrative of a highly unique piece of art. The sumptuous choice of hard stones arrests the viewer eyes, whilst the intricate details surrounding the crests draws one in, highlighting the exceptional skill and imagination of the artisans in the Florentine Grand Ducal workshops at the turn of the sixteenth century.
 
The second table top is one of the greatest inlaid Roman tables that have come to the market in recent years. Purchased by or given to a member of the Grimani family, in all likelihood Doge Marino Grimani (1532 - 1605) whilst in Rome in 1585 and 1592, this antique marble and lapis lazuli inlaid top from the last quarter of the 16th century stands out for its refinement and the novelty of composition and the wide range of archaeological marbles employed.
 
Of rectangular form centred by a rare ovate of Tunisian Lumachella astracane flanked by two octagons of Alabastro tartarugato in a mother of pearl inlaid border with roundels of lapis lazuli and quartz, surrounded by six term armoured figures of Alabastro bianco. This in turn is surrounded by an interlaced decoration of Giallo antico, Verde antico, Brocatello di Spagna, Alabastro orientale and Semesanto. All inside a Rosso antico interior border of flowers, ovals and roundels made of Semesanto, Aquitania, lapis lazzuli and Giallo antico. The outer border is made up of military trophies interspersed with squares and rectangles of Alabastro marino and Alabastro tartarugato. The shields are alabaster and the two exterior octagons are of lapis lazuli, the peltae is of Brocatello di Spagna and Semesanto, whilst the quivers are of Alabastro listrato. The most exterior border with roundels, ovals, rectangles and rosettes. On a carved giltwood 19th century English base incorporating earlier late 17th century Flemish elements of four female figures possibly to a design by Daniel Marot (1661 - 1752).
 
The table tops sold for a combined total of £5,134,000. The Florentine piece, made in circa 1600-1620, set a world auction record for any hardstone inlaid top table top at £3,509,000. Five bidders competed for this highly unique piece of art in a 10-minute bidding battle, driving the final price high above its pre-sale estimate of £400,000-600,000. No fewer than four bidders vied for the second table top, which sold to a private collector for a staggering £1,625,000 - the second highest price for an inlaid Roman table top sold at auction (est. £300,000-500,000).
Commenting on the sale, Mario Tavella, Deputy Chairman, Sotheby's Europe and Head of House Sales and Single Owner Collections said: "Being able to present two pietre dure and antique marble table tops with the same provenance is extraordinary rare so when these works of art are of such quality and boast such exceptional provenance, it is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime event in the career of a specialist. The landmark price achieved today by this sublime Florentine pietre dure top, whose provenance is fully documented since 1623, is reflective of a highly unique piece of art".
 
[Sotheby's press release and auction details