Northern Italian Neoclassical Marquetry Writing Table - M. Ford Creech Antiques & Fine Ars, Memphis, TN

Veneered and richly inlaid with various woods (kingwood and tulipwood, ebony, rosewood, satinwood, and other fruitwoods),

the rectangular retracting top with a central round medallion of a Angelica on a hippogriffe with an orc, (from Ludovico Oriosto's poem,

Orlando Furioso*) within borders of urns and oak leaves, the corners with quarter-rounds of further oak leaves, above an antique

leather-covered slide, also retracting to reveal a well, fitted with 5 small drawers, the frieze with panels of hounds and boars within a

landscape, between panels of eagles with swags and balances (front and back), and a satyr watering a goose at a basin (sides); the corners

with upright oak leaves; all set on four tapering veneered; legs headed by inlaid beribboned vines, and ending in inlaid cuffed feet.

Condition: Very good, with expected veneer and inlay cracks; a few replaced pieces of inlay; good color

*In Canto 10 of Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, an unfortunate Angelica (Angelique) has been left naked and chained

to a rock on the Isle of Tears, to be sacrificed to the orc, a sea monster. Ingres painted the scene, as Roger, seated

on his hippogriffe (a mythical animal, part horse, part griffin or eagle, a symbol of impossibility and love, and supposedly

inspired by Virgil's Ecologue), enters into combat wit the orc. A magnificent bronze sculpture by Antoine-Louis Barye

depicts the same rescue, with Roger and Angelica astride a flying horse, lifting them above the sea serpent below.

We welcome and encourage all inquiries. We will make every attempt to answer any questions you might have.

For information, call (901) 761-1163 or (901) 827-4668 or email mfcreech@bellsouth.net