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This tabletop is one of the most extraordinary examples of hardstone mosaic produced in Italy around 1800, likely by the period’s leading mosaicist, Giacomo Raffaelli. The tradition of cutting highly colored, figured hardstones to form mosaics can be traced to antiquity, but Raffaelli introduced a fresh approach by organizing carefully arrayed geometric patterns against a white marble ground. Made in Milan with a variety of precious stones that were sourced in nearby Brescia, Sicily, and Tuscany, as well as farther afield in Afghanistan, Egypt, Greece, Poland, and Russia, this table reflects the growing scientific fields of geology and gemology, as well as the global dimension of European decorative arts. The rarefied nature of materials used to make the mosaic reflected the urbane, sophisticated tastes of its patrons, which, for Raffaelli, included tsars, kings, and emperors. In the early nineteenth century, this table was acquired by Charles William Vane (1778–1854), Lord Stewart, then British ambassador in Vienna. Stewart, later Lord Londonderry, was infamously known for his repression of the 1798 Irish uprising and a callousness towards the Irish during the potato famine. This tabletop owes its name to its documented presence in Stewart’s London mansion, Londonderry House, and remained by descent in the family until 2014.
Jeffrey Fraiman in Gifts of Art (2025), p. 104
Quality
de Young & Legion of Honor ART on Demand offers exclusive custom reproductions of artworks in the collections and exhibitions of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Hand-made in the USA using gallery-quality materials, we create prints as true to the original work as possible, using strict color management protocols and state-of-the-art printing technology.Selection
Many of the works offered through this store are exclusive and not available anywhere else. We are continually adding new artworks to our offering, so be sure to check back regularly as you build your own gallery. A variety of molding styles means our custom framed prints can match any type of decor.Ordering & Return Policy
All ART on Demand items are custom-made for each order. Please allow 10-14 days for production time. You will receive shipping confimation and tracking upon shipment. Due to the custom nature of these items they are non-returnable.
