AN ITALIAN GROTTO STYLE SILVER AND GOLD LEAFED WOOD BLACKAMOOR TABLE, EARLY 20TH CENTURY, the figure with striped white painted linen headdress and matching Egyptian style shendyt, he wears gold and silver bangles at each arm and ankle, kneeling with a kind countenance he offers a juicy fruit and adjusts a linen wrap at his shoulder blown by a golden wind at his back, he rests upon the gilt ribs of shells. Height: 19 1/2" Width: 15" Depth: 15" NOTE: The present figure is an unusual variant of an "old world" decorative arts motif; the blackamoor, popularized during the Renaissance, increasingly found its way as a theme in decorative arts throughout history. Reaching farther back, consider also of the ancient Greek figures of Atlas, the primordial Titan condemned to hold up the celestial heavens for eternity after the Titanomachy. The archaic figural decorative arts motif first initiated in ancient cultures has permeated in some form well into the 21st century, resulting in a two thousand year tradition echoing the struggle of man. The present work in the Egyptian Revival style diverges from typical Italian representations.

Crack at arm and at back, minor losses, surface spots, dust, and debris, lacking top, but overall in good to very good condition, wear commensurate with age.