In 1989, an engraved, ivory-inlaid rosewood table was purchased for £6,000. The table was known to date to the 16th century and is a beautiful example of Renaissance craftsmanship. Since then, Sotheby's specialists have discovered that the piece was part of the notable collection of the Medici family. It was put up for auction Tuesday and expected to fetch at least £500,000. It actually sold for a hammer price of £800,000 (£937,250 including buyer's premium).
The table was commissioned sometime between 1596 and 1598 by the Duke of Urbino, Francesco Maria II della Rovere, possibly to commemorate his wedding. The design of intertwining oak leaves includes the arms of the della Rovere family and the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece. It may have been made by Maestro Giorgio Tedesco and Giulio Lupi.
Find out more about this extraordinary piece of craftsmanship in the article at artdaily.org, and see a very nice photo from Getty Images in the item at IndiaTimes. For more on the sale, visit the piece by Louise Chen at ARTINFO and the article by Stephen Adams at the Telegraph.
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