Tip-top table attributed to the Falcini brothers. Florence, second half of the 19th century

Tip-top table attributed to LUIGI & ANGIOLO FALCINI. Florence, second half of the 19th century.
Marquetry and ebonized wood.
Measurements: 78 x 76 x 76 cm.

This tip-top table, so called because it is a folding table with a hinged top so that it can be placed upright when not in use to save space, is attributed to the Falcini brothers (Luigi and Angiolo), who ran an important marquetry workshop in mid-19th century Florence. As explained, it is an example that fully reflects the "savoir faire" of the Falcini brothers: the quality of the decoration, the dense but orderly floral inlay, the absolute precision in the cutting and in the combination of the various materials (light, colored and stained woods), often arranged on the dark background. Formally it consists of an octagonal board inlaid with a frieze of palmettes and floral marquetry, on a similarly decorated baluster support and an octagonal base, on eight lentil-shaped feet.

Relocated from the province, the Falcini brothers set up the workshop in Florence (around 1834-36), which was then run by Luigi's sons, Alessandro and Cesare, also inlayers (news until around 1882). They worked on behalf of the Grand Ducal family and the most noble Florentine families. The Falcini brothers exhibited their elegant furniture at the Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1851 in London.