19th Century Neo-renaissance Pietra Dura Table In Black Marble

This round French coffee table (c.1870–1890) is a fine example of late 19th‑century Renaissance Revival style. It features an exceptional black marble top decorated in the Florentine pietra dura technique – an exquisite marquetry of polished hardstones. The central medallion displays a vividly colored bouquet of white, blue and orange flowers (lapis lazuli, jasper, mother-of-pearl, etc.), surrounded by a multicolored vegetal frieze around the border. The contrast of the dark marble ground with the vibrant stone inlay is striking. Pietra dura is the renowned Italian inlay method of embedding cut, fitted, highly polished stones to create detailed imagespamono.fr. Originating in Rome in the 16th century and fully developed in Florence, this technique typically uses green, white or black marble as the basepamono.fr – here, a very fine black marble.

The tabletop (Ø ≈ 70 cm) is the centerpiece of the design. Countless semi-precious stone elements are expertly inlaid into the marble support, each petal and leaf rendered with remarkable precision. The result is a flawlessly flat and polished surface that truly “looks like a decorative art,” as one source notes about pietra dura workpamono.fr. This high level of craftsmanship gives the table an almost pictorial quality, with intricate floral motifs that are both vibrant and durable.

The table is supported by a central tripod base in solid walnut. The wood is hand-carved with a rich neo-Renaissance sculptural vocabulary: spiral columns, scrolling acanthus leaves, stylized birds and volutes form an ornate, dynamic structure. This central support not only provides robust stability, but also a dramatic visual contrast to the marbled top. The overall effect is elegant and opulent, in line with Second Empire decorative tastes.

This table has been fully restored by specialists. The marble top is free of cracks and all stone inlays are securely fixed. The walnut base has been cleaned, refinished and polished, highlighting the warm grain of the wood. The table is in excellent condition, with no obvious wear, and is ready for immediate placement in a collector’s home or luxury interior.

Dimensions:
Diameter -70 cm;
Height - 80 cm