A RARE PAIR OF UMBRIAN BAROQUE SCANTONATA, CONSOLE TABLES WITH LYRE TRESTLE ENDS
11614
Umbrian, mid-17th century (circa 1650-1680)
Walnut
Each designed to stand independently or to unite to form an octagonal centre table
Catalogue Description
A rare and important pair of mid-17th-century Italian Baroque walnut scantonata console tables, attributed to Umbrian manufacture, conceived with remarkable ingenuity to function either as a pair of consoles or joined together to form an octagonal centre, dining, or gaming table.
Console tables were an essential element of the sale di parata of aristocratic palazzi from the late seventeenth century onwards, arranged in symmetrical pairs or sets beneath mirrors and between doors to articulate the classical interior. This pair represents an unusually early and sophisticated iteration of the type, distinguished not only by its architectural scantonata (angled) plan, lyre-shaped trestles and its dual-purpose design, arguably the earliest table form conceived expressly to operate both as individual wall furniture and as a unified centre table.
The sharply canted corners (scantonata, meaning angled or bevelled) give the tables a strong architectural presence, animating the surfaces and accentuating the richly figured walnut. When joined, the angled corners resolve into a striking octagonal plan, transforming the consoles into a commanding centre table of sculptural presence, particularly dramatic by candlelight, where the interplay of the lyre-shaped trestles creates constantly shifting silhouettes and reflections.
The boldly carved lyre-form trestles are a defining feature, imparting Baroque gravitas and visual rhythm. Their sculptural scrolls and curvilinear profiles introduce movement and theatricality, while remaining grounded in classical proportion. The tables retain a shallow moulding beneath the tops, a characteristic feature of this rare model, yet notably incorporate a full frieze, a refinement seldom encountered and indicative of commission for a grand and discerning household.
Made by the same hand, the tables are closely related but not mechanically identical: subtle variations in carving, construction, and proportion attest to their entirely hand-crafted nature and enhance their authenticity and appeal to the connoisseur.
The walnut surfaces display a deep, lustrous patina accrued over centuries of use, bearing the quiet marks of domestic and ceremonial life. Together, the pair stands as an exceptional survival of early Baroque furniture design, architectural, versatile, and imbued with Italian grandeur.
Provenance
Private Collection, Rome
Reputedly from the original palazzo for which they were made
Bearing historic inventory numbers 673 and 674
Condition Report
Console I - Inventory No. 673
• Old worming visible in places; entirely inactive
• Top made from a single exceptionally, wide walnut plank, 65cm
• Numerous historic surface marks consistent with use and age, integrated into the patina
• Small area of sapwood visible at the top right
• Minor nibble to the moulding on the right-hand return from the straight front
• Trestle reinforced at the frieze with 19th-century shaped wooden braces, following the profile from the underside of the frieze to the mid-section of the first scroll
• Splice repair to the rear of the scroll foot on the right-hand trestle
Console II - Inventory No. 674
• Old worming visible in places; entirely inactive
• Top made from a wide 55cm and a narrow 10cm walnut plank
• Small rectangular patch to the right-hand side 9cm deep 18-23 cm long.
• Trestle reinforced at the frieze with 19th-century shaped wooden braces, matching those on Console I and following the same structural logic
Centre table : 133 cm tapering to 55cm, wide, 120cm deep, height 85cm. Consoles : length 133.00cm., 52.36 inches, depth 65 cm., 25.50 inches, height 85 cm., 33.50 inches.
Summary for Collectors
• Rare early Baroque scantonata console/centre table model
• Exceptional versatility: consoles or unified octagonal table
• Sculptural lyre-form trestles of high Baroque quality
• Retains original character, patina, and historic integrity
• Provenanced Roman private collection with original inventory numbers
17th Century
circa 1680
Walnut
Italy
Collectors
Baroque (Of the period)
Joinery
GOOD. Wear consistent with age and use.
1
WalnutEach designed to stand independently or to unite to form an octagonal centre tableCatalogue DescriptionA rare and important pair of mid-17th-century Italian Baroque walnut scantonata console tables, attributed to Umbrian manufacture, conceived with remarkable ingenuity to function either as a pair of consoles or joined together to form an octagonal centre, dining, or gaming table.Console tables were an essential element of the sale di parata of aristocratic palazzi from the late seventeenth century onwards, arranged in symmetrical pairs or sets beneath mirrors and between doors to articulate the classical interior. This pair represents an unusually early and sophisticated iteration of the type, distinguished not only by its architectural scantonata (angled) plan, lyre-shaped trestles and its dual-purpose design, arguably the earliest table form conceived expressly to operate both as individual wall furniture and as a unified centre table.The sharply canted corners (scantonata, meaning angled or bevelled) give the tables a strong architectural presence, animating the surfaces and accentuating the richly figured walnut. When joined, the angled corners resolve into a striking octagonal plan, transforming the consoles into a commanding centre table of sculptural presence, particularly dramatic by candlelight, where the interplay of the lyre-shaped trestles creates constantly shifting silhouettes and reflections.The boldly carved lyre-form trestles are a defining feature, imparting Baroque gravitas and visual rhythm. Their sculptural scrolls and curvilinear profiles introduce movement and theatricality, while remaining grounded in classical proportion. The tables retain a shallow moulding beneath the tops, a characteristic feature of this rare model, yet notably incorporate a full frieze, a refinement seldom encountered and indicative of commission for a grand and discerning household.Made by the same hand, the tables are closely related but not mechanically identical: subtle variations in carving, construction, and proportion attest to their entirely hand-crafted nature and enhance their authenticity and appeal to the connoisseur.The walnut surfaces display a deep, lustrous patina accrued over centuries of use, bearing the quiet marks of domestic and ceremonial life. Together, the pair stands as an exceptional survival of early Baroque furniture design, architectural, versatile, and imbued with Italian grandeur.ProvenancePrivate Collection, RomeReputedly from the original palazzo for which they were madeBearing historic inventory numbers 673 and 674Condition ReportConsole I - Inventory No. 673•	Old worming visible in places; entirely inactive•	Top made from a single exceptionally, wide walnut plank, 65cm•	Numerous historic surface marks consistent with use and age, integrated into the patina•	Small area of sapwood visible at the top right•	Minor nibble to the moulding on the right-hand return from the straight front•	Trestle reinforced at the frieze with 19th-century shaped wooden braces, following the profile from the underside of the frieze to the mid-section of the first scroll•	Splice repair to the rear of the scroll foot on the right-hand trestleConsole II - Inventory No. 674•	Old worming visible in places; entirely inactive•	Top made from a wide 55cm and a narrow 10cm walnut plank•	Small rectangular patch to the right-hand side 9cm deep 18-23 cm long.•	Trestle reinforced at the frieze with 19th-century shaped wooden braces, matching those on Console I and following the same structural logicCentre table : 133 cm tapering to 55cm, wide, 120cm deep, height 85cm. Consoles : length 133.00cm., 52.36 inches, depth 65 cm., 25.50 inches, height 85 cm., 33.50 inches.Summary for Collectors•	Rare early Baroque scantonata console/centre table model•	Exceptional versatility: consoles or unified octagonal table•	Sculptural lyre-form trestles of high Baroque quality•	Retains original character, patina, and historic integrity•	Provenanced Roman private collection with original inventory numbers){kind=link}