A George II Period Carved Mahogany Side Table with Portoro Marble Top

The bold and rich carving, ornamental vocabulary and portoro marble top of this console table indicate that it was an important commission. A closely related side table with a similar combination of a Vitruvian scroll frieze and central lion mask was formerly in the Percival Griffiths collection, illustrated in R.W. Symonds, English Furniture from Charles I| to George II.
Portoro marble was mined in Italy principally from the late 17th century and was particularly valued for its striking combination of black and gold. Its rarity and expense meant that its use in
the British Isles was reserved for the grandest commissions, as indicated by the present lot as well as chimneypieces at Houghton Hall and Clandon Park.