A Louis Philippe mahogany and ebony inlaid gueridon with an Italian early 19th century 'Grand To...

A Louis Philippe mahogany and ebony inlaid gueridon with an Italian early 19th century 'Grand Tour' specimen marble, hardstone and mineral top The specimen top: 1810-1825, the stand: 1825-1840 The circular top with a central malachite roundel encompassed by six concentric circles incorporating a total of one hundred and forty radiating segments of assorted marble, hardstone and mineral specimens, each segment within black marble tablet surrounds, the specimens apparently including: porphyry, jaune brocatello, rouge incarnat, Sicilian jasper, val d'aosta, lapis lazuli, granito antico, lumachella, alabastro, rouge griotte and agate, above a frieze with an inlaid pattern comprised of a single file of Roman soldiers depicted in various postures, on three lotus leaf clasped zoomorphic legs with lion paw feet, the concave tripartite base terminating in moulded plinths and recessed castors, approximate diameter of the specimen top: 95.5cm; 79.5cm high. Footnotes: During the early 19th century a dealer called François de Sanctis, whose operation was based in Rome, was one of a number of retailers who sold colourful specimen table tops, just like that surmounting the offered lot, to his largely 'Grand Tour' clients. One such top was evidently purchased from de Sanctis by R.W. Bland of Belfast. In 1826 it was then exported from Leghorn. However, interestingly, the documentation which accompanied this particular comparable referenced the fact that it had in fact been made in Florence in 1817 and was inscribed: 'Pietre in Tavola Rotunda, Firenze'. This sold Christie's, New York, 29 January 1994, lot 305. Another closely related example is housed within the collection of what was formerly known as the London Geological Museum, but which has since been amalgamated with the Natural History Museum. This is also similar to the offered model, albeit with a lapis lazuli central medallion as opposed to a malachite one. Whilst a total of thirty-two of the different marble specimens therein have since been identified, one must assume by the Museum itself. Quite a number of closely related examples of these highly attractive and elegant Italian early 19th century specimen slabs exist, however the majority tend to have been used as the tops for English table bases of a marginally later date. But what is so interesting about the present model is that the stand is clearly of continental origin and almost certainly French, suggesting that demand for such 'Grand Tour' items was in no way limited to just the British market at that time. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP TP For auctions held in Scotland: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please refer to the catalogue for further information. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing