Over the years several examples of paintings by and attributed to Mattia Preti have made their way to auctions in Malta, and the next will be the master's 'Doubting Thomas', which will go under the hammer at Belgravia Auction Gallery, St Julian's, on Saturday 6 December at 2.30pm. The piece carries an estimated value of €39,00-€40,000.
Among the 1,000 lots in the December auction at the Belgravia Auction Gallery, are two other outstanding lots: a fine centre table attributable to the Falcini Brothers of Florence; of octagonal form, with extensive and comprehensive inlays of fruitwood, ivory and mother-of-pearl pictorially depicting foliates and flora. The piece was created in Florence circa 1845.
Rising from a central baluster shaped carved and gilded column and scrolled tripods of naturalistic acanthus foliage this table top is a fine representation of the detailed naturalistic marquetry popularised by the Florentine Falcini brothers Luigi (1794-1861) and Angiolo Falcini (fl. 1836-69) in the second quarter of the 19th century and is almost certainly by them. The base was probably commissioned directly by the Falcini brothers from another Florentine ebanista and is contemporary to the top. The table top incorporates many features of their work such as scrolling foliage, wreaths inlaid in mother-of-pearl and ivory in rich colours with contrasting light and dark woods. The Falcini brothers were active in Florence and celebrated restorers of Renaissance and baroque marquetry as well as executing their own pieces in marquetry. Whilst Lombardy enjoyed the success in the late 18th century of makers such as Maggiolini and Maffezzoli, the Florentine output of inlaid furniture had almost certainly ceased since the flourishing output of Leonardo van der Vinne in the early 17th century. The Falcini brothers in the second quarter of the19th century revitalised this technique. They were known for their elegant designs inspired by the Renaissance and their superbly executed inlaid work and they supplied the octagonal table to Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1839. Their inlay reflected the work of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure with its flowers, foliage and birds and they also exhibited at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 to great acclaim. There are several tables by the Falcini brothers in Palazzo Pitti in Florence. (Ref: Sothebys London)
A Venetian mid 18th century gilt framed overmantle mirror - a fine large example of carving of the period with the original glass and mercury silvering, albeit faded, will also go under the hammer. Venice was long a hub for mirror production and design. While the 17th century exhibited frames that were more like "glorified picture frames," by the 18th century, Venice ventured more into the artistic; Swags, scrolls, trelliswork, vases and other architectural elements dominated.
Viewing will be over four days as from Friday 28 November. For the catalogue go to www.belgraviaauctions.com