Center table in inlaid wood, Luigi and Angiolo Falcini, Florence, mid-19th century Dimensions: Cm D 74 x W 140 x H 77.5 Price: private negotiation Item accompanied by a certificate of authenticity This fine center table in rosewood veneered and inlaid wood was made by Luigi and Angiolo Falcini in Florence, around the mid-19th century. Of rectangular shape, it is finely inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ivory, green wood and other precious woods. The inlays form some geometric and floral designs. The top is centered by an ovoid reserve adorned in the center with a still life of flowers. Around it, four cornucopia elements in classic style are richly decorated with flowers, plant elements, foliage swirls and ears of wheat. The top is finished with a flower frame inlaid in ivory. The wise use of wood essences with different colors and the skill with which the inlays have been made give the decorations a pictorial aspect of great decorative effect. Frontally, in the under-top band whose decoration runs along the entire perimeter, a small drawer is inserted. The entire structure of the table is inlaid with geometric and vegetal ornaments. The four legs, also rich in inlays on all sides, are in the shape of an inverted truncated pyramid and end with a wooden tip with a collar. The table is part of the fine cabinet-making production of the Florentine workshop of the Falcini brothers, Luigi (Campi, 1794 - Florence, 1861) and Angiolo (Campi, 1801 - Florence, 1850). Having moved from the province, they established the workshop in Florence (around 1834-36), which was then run by Luigi's sons, Alessandro and Cesare, also inlayers (news until around 1882). The two cabinetmakers, originally from a family of woodworkers from Campi Bisenzio, near Florence, moved to the city and opened this important cabinet-making workshop, of which we have news starting from 1834. The workshop had its period of greatest splendor until the death of Luigi, which occurred in 1861; with less importance the activity was carried on by the sons of the latter at least until 1882. The workshop of the Falcini brothers, specialized in inlaid cabinet-making, worked on commission from the Grand Ducal family and the noblest Florentine families. The characteristics that unite the works of the workshop are also found in this table, such as the quality of the decoration, the dense but orderly floral inlay, the absolute precision in cutting and matching the various materials (light, colored and dyed woods, ivory, mother-of-pearl), often arranged on a dark background. The perfect finish of the table on each side allows it to be used even in the center of a room. This table can also be used as a desk and can be easily placed in any environment, from a living room to a study, but also in an entrance or in a bedroom. Very decorative, it can be combined with both antique and modern furniture. Essential bibliography: Simone Chiarugi (edited by), Botteghe di Mobilieri in Toscana 1780-1900, vol. II, Florence 1994 Erico Colle, Il mobile dell'Ottocento in Italia. Furnishings and interior decorations from 1815 to 1900, Milan 2007 Alvar González-Palacios, Il tempio del gusto, il Granducato di Toscana e gli stati settentrionali, Milan 1986