FINE SCAGLIOLA TABLE TOP

Italy, 17th century.
Rectangular top, the center with an owl (probably an Allegory of Wisdom) standing on a vase and surrounded by branches and numerous birds. On a modern table frame (bent).
111 × 67 cm.

Various repairs, losses and scratches. Rim chipped.

An exceptionally beautiful and finely worked panel in the scagliola technique. This involves coloring plaster with other aggregates and pressing it into slabs, from which individual pieces are cut out and joined together as inlays to form a picture. This technique is a variation of pietra dura work, in which pieces of semi-precious stones are joined together to form inlays.