Colnaghi, London, is delighted to present a rare pietra dura tabletop as its highlight for TEFAF Online, New York, from 1 – 4 November 2020.
Dating from the late 16th Century, this tabletop is a masterpiece of the pietra dura technique — the process of arranging finely cut stones, inserted on a ground of white marble. Stylistic comparisons can be drawn with the fine tabletop in the Museo de Arte Antiga, Lisbon, which is likely have been executed around the same date.
The complexity of the design here is echoed by the sumptuousness of the gemstones — alabaster, coral, Lapis lazuli, lumachella, nero antico and broccatello marbles. The convex outer edge of the top is decorated with alternating bands of nero antico and broccatello marble, inset with small ovals of coral and lapis lazuli. Inside this is a wide border, decorated with motifs of warfare: shields and arms.
In the inner panel, plant tendrils and foliage entwine on a nero antico background. Within this tabletop, different elements overlap and unfold: the worlds of Popes and princes; of craftsmanship and diplomacy; the materials of the east and the artisans of the west; ancient technique and baroque splendour.
The practise of cutting precious stones, valued highly since the time of the ancient Egyptians, was developed in the Roman Empire and later flourished in the Renaissance as the pietra dura technique. The high demand for these pieces led to the establishment of workshops throughout Europe, the first being the legendary Galleria dei Lavori in Florence, established in 1588. In Rome, the rediscovery of ancient marbles, as well as the Roman’s enduring passion for mosaics, collided with a baroque longing for splendour. Reflecting the political and religious history of Europe, these exquisite works were frequently sent as gifts from the papal city to other European courts, becoming collateral in Rome’s pursuit of power.
Says Chloe Stead, Senior Director, Colnaghi: ‘Very few of these 16th century pieces survive today, that this table stands out as a true rarity. The workshop in which it was created must have been among the most highly esteemed in Rome. It appears to have employed specific and distinctive design elements in its tabletops that act as a signature, for example the border shaped like an owl’s beak and decorated with polychrome tongues. At least three other splendid tabletops can be attributed to this workshop, united by similar compositions and motifs. They are all in prestigious public institutions.’
Also on display for TEFAF Online New York, is Colnaghi’s highly acclaimed exhibition, Dreamsongs: from Medicine to Demons to Artificial Intelligence. Currently showing at the London gallery until December 2020, the show examines the way dreams have been depicted in art from Antiquity to the present day, and features work by more than 100 artists, including Lucas Cranach the Elder, Salvador Dalí, William Blake, Samuel Palmer, William Burroughs, Andy Warhol and Jean Cocteau.
Additionally, Colnaghi New York presents Faces from the Classical World, a display of twelve masterworks from the gallery’s holdings of Classical Antiquities, until 29 January 2020. To explore the show, click here.
For press information please contact Albany Arts Communications:
Carla von der Becke
carla@albanyartscommunications.com
t: +44 (0) 20 78 79 88 95; m: + 44 (0) 79 74 25 29 94
Notes to Editors
About Colnaghi Gallery
Founded in 1760, Colnaghi is one of the oldest commercial art galleries in the world with an unmatched history. From the late nineteenth century, Colnaghi became the leading dealership of Old Master paintings, selling masterpieces to the greatest collectors and museums of the gilded age. The only major commercial gallery to specialise in artworks from antiquity through to the modern era, Colnaghi handles unique objects from the Ancient World, the finest Old Masters and Modern masterpieces. With galleries and experts in London, New York, and Madrid, Colnaghi is able to offer an unparalleled service and programme of exhibitions and events.
Colnaghi’s exhibitions showcase the finest Old Masters, Ancient and Modern works of art in the world. Past exhibitions have included a temporary gallery space in Venice for the 58th Biennale, which merged the spirit of the Grand Tour with the desires of the 21st-century traveller. Colnaghi London’s past exhibitions have presented opportunities to cross collect from an array of diverse categories. Forthcoming shows in London and New York will offer a superb breadth of paintings, drawings, sculpture and ancient works of art, telling the stories of exquisite and rare art and objects from across the globe. The gallery was acquired by Jorge Coll and Nicolas Cortés in 2015 when it merged with the gallery they founded in 2005, Coll & Cortés (Cortés left the company in 2018). Last year, Victoria Golembiovskaya, the founder of the art consultancy House of the Nobleman, joined the company as a Director.
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