Empire period Rare Mahogany Console with Giltwood Vestals Decoration Rome Circa 1810
A splendid and rare mahogany and mahogany veneer console mounted on walnut, inlaid with ebony lozenges reminiscent of the French Directoire decorative elements.
Our console with grey veined marble top, has an upper strip opening by two drawers on the sides, with the application of palmettes in finely chiseled and gilt bronze. The front legs in carved and giltwood, decorated with Vestals in the purest "Return from Egypt" style. The rectangular base forming a shelf in burled mahogany veneer rests on round legs.
Very beautiful Italian work of the Empire period, Rome circa 1810. Our console comes from the Palace of an illustrious Roman family.
Measurements: Height 32.67 In. - Length 57.08 In. - Depth 16.92 In.
In very good original condition, Museum quality.
A vestal (in Latin Virgo vestalis) is a priestess of ancient Rome dedicated to Vesta. The college of vestals and its welfare was considered essential to the maintenance and security of Rome. They must maintain the public hearth of the temple of Vesta located in the Roman Forum. The vestals were freed from the usual social obligations of marriage and childbearing and took a vow of chastity for 30 years in order to devote themselves to the study and observance of state rituals forbidden to male priestly colleges.
