Page 187 - Christies Alsdorf Collection PART 2 Sept 24 2020 NYC

995

AN ITALIAN BRASS-MOUNTED, EBONY, PIETRA DURA
AND PIETRA PAESINA TABLE CABINET
PARTS 17TH CENTURY AND ADAPTED
The exterior mounted with scrolling etched brass centered by a crest, the
interior fitted with drawers
10Ω in. (26.5 cm.) high, 16Ω in. (42 cm.) wide, 11Ω in. (29 cm.) deep
$2,000-4,000

PROVENANCE:
With Galerie von Negelein, Kiel.
Acquired from Arthur Davidson, Ltd., London, 1985.
The James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection, Chicago.
EXHIBITED:
Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin, 1983.
Pietra paesina, the marble in the background of the plaques, is mined
from the Arno area of Italy. Its literal translation, "landscape stone," aptly
captures its fantastically colored and figured graining. This landscape 995
pattern was created when the stone fractured from the earth's movement
and water then passed through and reacted to the oxides in its chemical
makeup. The marble can then be cut in such a way to exploit these
patterns.
Small plaques of pietra paesina were popular for the decoration of cabinets
and tables. Though primarily associated with Italian furniture, pietra paesina
was also used in Germany.

(details of interior)

996
■
A WHITE MARBLE FIGURE
20TH CENTURY
After the antique, modeled as a female, mounted on a modern plinth
43æ in. (111.4 cm.) high, the figure
$4,000-6,000

PROVENANCE:
The James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection, Chicago.

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