A FINE MALTESE WALNUT AND PIETRA DURA DRUM TABLE

A FINE MALTESE WALNUT AND PIETRA DURA DRUM TABLE

ATTRIBUTED TO J. DARMANIN & SONS, 19TH CENTURY

the revolving top inlaid with specimen marbles, the centre with an urn of colourful flowers and a butterfly within a lozenge border and outer border of scrolls with a leaf carved edge, the frieze with four drawers inlaid with brass, one with four divisions another with multiple divisions and plush lined compartments, with a paper trade label for the cabinet maker 'Baptist Decarlo, carpenter Strada Marina No. 19, Burmola' on a triform base with acanthus carved columns and lions paw feet and sunken brass castors

75cm high, 90.5cm diameter

Provenance

The contents of The Grange, Wendover.

Catalogue Note

Giuseppe Darmanin established his business in the early 19th century and one assumes would have changed the company's name to include '& Sons' when his eldest sons joined the firm in the late 1820's or early 1830's. He used the anglicised Joseph (J) Darmanin to cater for the steady flow of British Grand Tourists heading to North Africa, the Levant and India. By 1851, the firm's reputation was so well established that they represented Malta at the Great Exhibition where they were awarded an 'Honourable Mention' in the judges report for the excellence of their workmanship. Examples of the firms work have subsequently featured in many major collections including the Royal Collection, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Gilbert Collection.

For other examples of work appearing on the market that are recognised as being by Darmanin, see Sotheby's, London, 26th November, 2003, lot 123 for a pair of tops with the coat of arms of Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, purchased by Ronald Phillips Ltd, London, also Sotheby's, 8th July 2008, Lot 365 for a table top with the coat of arms of Horatio Webb, Sotheby's New York, 16th October 2008, lot 58 for a table top with the arms of the Baker Family of Tipperary, Ireland.

Literature

K. Hay, Furniture History Society, 2010, Volume XLVI, pp.157-185, Mosaic Marble Tables by J. Darmanin & Sons of Malta.