Marble and gypsum marquetry tables at the Galleria d’Italia in Naples

Tuscan and Neapolitan craftsmanship “Table depicting mythological scenes”

Marquetry - Engraved and gilded wood, marble, plaster – 18th century

Top left, seated on a smiling dragon, Orpheus plays the lyre amidst a crowd of naiad and all manner of sea creatures enchanted by his music.

Table depicting mythological scenes, Galleria d’Italia Zevallos, Naples, Italy

Table featuring mythological scenes At the top centre, a Bacchic scene in which grapes are joyfully trodden to extract the juice and produce the wine that brings about the intoxication of Silenus, carried by the young satyrs.

Top right, Orpheus’s music and songs have attracted birds and wild beasts, enchanting them to such an extent that they forget their instincts and rivalries; a shared joy, just like that experienced by human beings during a concert.

The violin has replaced the lyre of ancient Greece, but the magic lives on with the heirs of Orpheus.

At the bottom left, whilst out hunting, Actaeon accidentally catches sight of the naked goddess Diana surrounded by her retinue of maidens, an unwitting sacrilege that results in him being immediately transformed into a stag and devoured by his hounds.

Bottom right, Zeus transformed himself into a white bull to seduce Europa and left the shores of Tyre to journey to Crete, carrying her on his back.

Tuscan and Neapolitan workshop “Table with birds and plant motifs”

Table featuring birds and plant motifs, Galleria d’Italia Zevallos in Naples, Italy

Table featuring birds and plant motifs Marquetry – Engraved and gilded wood, marble, plaster – 18th century

Small brown birds perched on arabesques of leaves with flowers of every colour surround a beautiful bird with blue and gold plumage which sits enthroned like a king in the centre of a white circle.

More than a dozen different flowers have been incorporated into this springtime scene.

A sense of sovereignty reinforced by the blue and gold coats of arms at the four corners of the table.

Artists Caravaggio | Gemito | Vanvitelli | Gentileschi | Aphrodite | Antique Vases | Esposito | Marble inlay
Gallery Italy Artists Schedule Tickets Location | Authorizations

Back to Top of Page