19th Century, Italian Inlaid Wood Centre Table by Luigi and Angiolo Falcini

This valuable center table in rosewood veneer and inlaid, was made by Luigi and Angiolo Falcini in Florence (Italy), around the middle of the nineteenth century.
Its rectangular shape is finely inlaid with different essences of wood. The inlays form some geometric and floral designs. The plan is centered by an ovoid reserve adorned in the center by a still life of flowers. Around, four elements of cornucopie of classic taste are richly adorned with flowers, plant elements, foliaceous sunflowers and ears of wheat. The top is finished with a flower frame. The skilful use of wood species with different colors and the mastery with which the inlays have been made give the decorations a pictorial aspect of great decorative effect.
On the front, a small drawer is inserted in the under-top band whose decoration runs along the entire perimeter. The whole structure of the table is inlaid with geometric and plant-shaped ornaments. The four legs, also rich in inlays on all sides, have an inverted pyramid trunk and end with a wooden toe with collar.
The table is part of the fine cabinet-making production of the Florentine workshop of the brothers Falcini, Luigi (Campi, 1794 - Florence, 1861) and Angiolo (Campi, 1801 - Florence, 1850).
Having moved from the province, they established a workshop in Florence (about 1834-36), which was later led by the sons of Luigi, Alessandro and Cesare, also inlayers (news about 1882).
The two cabinetmakers from a family of woodworkers from Campi Bisenzio, near Florence, moved to the city and opened this important cabinet-making workshop, which is known from 1834. The workshop had its period of greatest splendor until the death of Louis, occurred in 1861; with less importance the activity was carried out by the sons of the latter at least until 1882. The workshop of the Falcini brothers, specialized in inlaid cabinetry, worked on commission of the grand ducal family and the most noble Florentine families.
Also in this table are found the characteristics that unite the works of the workshop, such as the quality of the decoration, the dense but orderly floral inlay, the absolute precision in the cut and the combination of the various materials (light, coloured and dyed woods), often arranged on a dark background.
The perfect finish of the table on each side allows you to use it even in the middle of a room. This table can also be used as a desk and can be easily inserted into any room, from a living room to a study, in an entrance hall or a bedroom. Very decorative, it can be combined with both antique and modern furniture.

Essential bibliography:
Simone Chiarugi (edited by), Botteghe di Mobilieri in Toscana 1780-1900, vol. II, Firenze 1994
Erico Colle, Il mobile dell'Ottocento in Italia. Furniture and interior decorations from 1815 to 1900, Milan 2007
Alvar González-Palacios, The temple of taste, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the northern states, Milan 1986