A mid or third quarter 19th century walnut centre table inset with a contemporaneous Maltese pie...

A mid or third quarter 19th century walnut centre table inset with a contemporaneous Maltese pietre dure and specimen marble table top attributed to J. Darmanin and Sons The circular top inlaid with a panther ready to pounce within a border comprised of twenty-four assorted marble and hardstone specimens, encompassed by a strapwork pattern surround comprising alternating elongated ovals, roundels and lozenges, with a lotus leaf and acanthus carved edge, on three spiral twist turned legs, the concave tripartite base terminating in foliate headed lion paw feet with hairy hocks, approximate diameter of the top: 67cm; 71.5cm high. Footnotes: There were a number of marble workshops on the island of Malta, initially founded in the seventeenth century by Italian craftsmen and under the patronage of the Knight Hospitallers of St John. Under British rule from 1800, the workshops began making marble table tops in the Italian style for British visitors similar to those sought by the original Grand Tourists in Italy. J. Darmanin and Sons were the best-known marble firm in nineteenth century Malta. They traded c.1800 until the 1880s and exhibited at several international exhibitions, including the Great Exhibition in London, 1851. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP TP For auctions held in Scotland: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please refer to the catalogue for further information. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing