Gilt bronze pedestal table, hard stone top

Rare Italian pedestal table in finely chased ormolu with hardstone marquetry top.
The shaft, with a snake motif coiled on a vine, rests on a naturalistic base with four turtles.
The circular black onyx tray is inlaid with polychrome hardstones, decorated with knotted vine shoots, flowers and shells, in Lapis Lazuli and Malachite fillets of rare craftsmanship.
Trays of identical quality are on display at the Museum of the Offices in Florence.
Italy, mid-19th century.
Very good condition.

Our pedestal table and four others known to us differ only in the richness of their tops, which, with the exception of the one sold in 2014, can be attributed to Roman and Florentine workshops specialized in marble marquetry.
Born in antiquity, the craze for polychrome marquetry was revived in Italy from the 16th century onwards, particularly in Rome. From the end of the 18th century and throughout the 19th century, the fashion for Grand Touring among the French and English encouraged the production of high-quality hardstone trays for wealthy antique enthusiasts wishing to take home souvenirs of their travels.
It's interesting to note that, among these examples, only the top of our pedestal table makes a direct reference to the vine on its base.
At least four similar pedestal tables are known to exist:
Christie's London, September 18, 2014 sale, while the shaft is identical, it is however much less elaborate than our guéridon, absence of vine tassels, circular base without turtle.
Christie's Paris, sale December 5-6, 2001, the base is identical to ours, but with a marble top instead of hard stone.
Christie's Amsterdam, sale October 4-5, 2011, the base is identical to ours, but here again the top is much more basic.
Christie's Monaco, sale December 10-11, 1999, former Delbée-Jansen collection, the base is identical to ours but the marble top is less elaborate and has no connection with the vine.