Table following Pompeian models; Grand Tour, Italy, 19th century.

Table following Pompeian models; Grand Tour, Italy, 19th century.
Gilded bronze with marble on the top.
It presents breakage in the area of the board and wear and rust on the structure.
Measurements: 55,5 x 30 x 30 cm.
This table is an example of the neoclassical taste inspired by the Pompeian models, so appreciated during the Grand Tour in the 19th century. Its design evokes the elegance and refinement of Ancient Roman furniture, with a gilded bronze structure that glows with an air of classical opulence.
The circular, marble tabletop exhibits a surface of reddish and gray tones reminiscent of the luxurious decorations of Pompeian villas. Its finely worked edge adds an ornamental detail that delicately frames the piece. But it is in the structure that the table takes on a truly sculptural character. Three fluted legs support the surface, and at the top, each is topped with a caryatid-like female bust, perhaps a muse or mythological figure, recurring elements in classical art.
At the base, each leg ends in a feline claw, a frequent motif in Roman-inspired furniture, giving it a sense of strength and sophistication. To ensure stability, the table features a system of crossed crossbeams in the shape of an "X," a detail that not only reinforces its structure but also adds an architectural aesthetic, evoking the lecterns and stands of antiquity.
Pieces like this were highly coveted by the aristocratic travelers of the Grand Tour, who sought to bring back objects that reflected their education and appreciation for classical culture. This table, with its refined execution and obvious inspiration from the rediscovered ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, is not just a piece of furniture, but a testament to the desire to capture and relive the grandeur of the classical world.