An Italian scagliola topped gilt-bronze-and-bronze-mounted centre table, the top by the della Valle brothers, Leghorn the top circa 1850, the base later designed by Emilio Terry

the circular top centred by a view of St Peter's Square encircled by views of Rome including the Colosseum, Castello St Angelo, the Pantheon, the Arch of Titus, the Arch of Constantine, the Forum with the Temples of Saturn and of Castor and Pollux, the Pyramid of Cestius, all within a border with an alternating band of patera and star motifs above scrolled corbels on turned supports and a concave-sided triform base centred by a pineapple finial the underside of the top with the printed paper label Peter della Valle & Brothers Scagliola Manufacturers and Painters Leghorn, Leopolda Street, Palazzo Mazza

In overall very good original condition. The top has a later glass. Old very minor marks and scuffs. Very nice detail to casting of base. The detail to the scagliola is suberb and the colours are still vibrant with some very minor scratches.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Simon Chiarugi, Botteghe di Mobilieri in Toscana, Firenze, 1994,Vol. II,  pp. 226-227;
Anna Maria Massinelli, Scagliola l'Arte della pietra di luna, 1997, Rome, p. 80-82.

The  firm of the della Valle brothers specialised in scagliolia work. Whilst founded in Rome at the end of the end of the 18th century, the workshop transferred to Livorno circa 1805 to avoid the disturbances caused by the invasion of Italy by Napoleon. It was Filippo della Valle who took over its direction at that time and his sons Pietro and Giuseppe who built up its reputation. By the time they assumed responsibility in 1838, the firm was producing work of a very high standard and was particularly well known for their ability to create topographical views in scagliola.

In 1851, the brothers exhibited at the Great Exhibition, where they were part of the Tuscan Section dedicated to Tuscany. The introduction to that section, draws attention to the quality of their work 'the artistical taste of the Tuscans is likewise perceptible in their wood-carvings, in their hard-stone mosaic, and in their scagliola and marqueterie works'.  

Prior to their success at the Great Exhibition, the firm was also highly praised for a panel showing a shipwreck off the coast of Spezia, presented at the Academia delle Belle Arti, in Florence in 1844. Perhaps their most celebrated work is a table by Pietro and Giuseppe Della Valle, in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Nancy. It was commissioned by Victor Poirel, the French engineer responsible for work on the port of Livorno, and is decorated with views of the new port, illustrated by Chiarugi, op. cit.,  p. 226, fig. 292.

Chiarugi, op. cit., pp. 226-227, illustrates various examples of scagliola tops by the Della Valle brothers,  including a circular top with views of Rome, p. 227, fig. 293 very similar to the offered lot. For another example with a view of St. Peter's, see the scagliola top sold in these Rooms, 11th December, 1992, lot 381.

Also see another centre table with St. Peter's Square in Rome surrounded by views of Italian landmarks sold, Chatsworth:The Attic sale, 5th October 2010, lot 701.

The drawing of the Empire style base seen in fig 1. is a design by Emilio Terry.