A pair of Italian ivory and black lacquered carved giltwood console tables, Genoese, circa 1760

each with a later shaped fior di pesco marble top on boldly scrolled supports with a recumbent dragon on a shaped leaf carved platform base, the legs carved with a trail of flowerheads and husks

In overall good conserved condition. Some very minor chips and infill and restorations to marble tops. Old very minor marks and chips to gilding, and lacquer and carving which can easily be restored. The tongue of one dragon has the tip snapped off on one table, on the other table both tongues are missing but this is not too noticeable. There is a crack in the front giltwood border of the same one. Evidence of old very minor worm which appears to be no longer active.
"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:
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile Rococò in Italia, Arredi e decorazioni d’interni dal 1738 al 1775, Milan, 2003, p.146-147, no, 31.

This pair of unusual console tables with entwined dragons may well have been inspired by the designs of the ornamentalist and designer Nicholas Pineau (1684-1754) whose repertory often included console tables with dragons. Colle, op. cit., p. 146, illustrates a design for a console table with dragon entwined legs by Batty Langley in his `The City and Country Builder's and Workman's Treasury of Designs', London, 1740, which may well have inspired the maker of the Roman table illustrated by Colle, op. cit., p. 147, now in  Palazzo Corsini, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome.

One should also not discount the influence of Jean-Bernard Honoré Turreau, called Toro (1672-1731) who also produced designs for console tables with dragons, one of which is in the Bibliothèque National, Paris, reproduced here in fig. 1.