Table top of hard stones, probably Rome, XIX century. Marbles and various inlaid alabasters creating geometric motifs. The archaeological discoveries made in Rome during the Renaissance of old opus sectile pavements, mosaics made with polychrome marbles from all over the Empire, attracted the interest of European collectors who encouraged the development of workshops dedicated to the reuse of ancient marbles. The workshops in Rome and Florence began to produce lavish creations capable of satisfying the desire for luxury of the main courts of the time. Marble and alabaster of different colors, agate, jasper, lapis lazuli, malachite, shell, coral and mother-of-pearl were combined to decorate pieces of furniture made of noble woods such as ebony and walnut. The objects made with hard stone inlay and especially the table tops, the tavole commesse, were considered precious presents for kings, great nobles and important prelates. We are probably dealing with a tabletop of Roman manufacture characterized by its stylized decorations and preference for geometric motifs as opposed to the vegetal-inspired taste of the Florentine workshops. Reference Bibliography: "L'arte de la pietre dure: Hardstone in furniture and decorations", by Anna Maria Giusti. Philip Wilson Publishers. 1992. 62 x 83 cm.