Object Description
This marble tabletop features a centrally placed pictorial panel executed in pietra dura. The panel is surrounded by a frame composed of inlaid purple veined marble that is encompassed by an orange marble border. This panel-and-frame sits within the tabletop itself, which is formed from dark marble inlaid with scrolling foliate forms wrought from orange marble, in addition to imitative scallop shells formed from light cream marble at each corner and medallions at the centre of each side. The edge of the tabletop is finished with a scrolled profile.
The pietra dura pictorial panel portrays a seascape: the horizon is defined by a small town, while the left middle ground presents the sea and the right middle ground a set of ruins. The foreground includes several figures who overlook the seascape scene before them. The entire composition is skilfully wrought from marble of a variety of types and colours.