A set of four hard stone marquetry plaques depicting animals, Italy 18th c.

A set of four hard stone marquetry plaques depicting animals, three of which
after Antonio Tempesta (1555 - 1630)
Italy, 18th century

Rams: 16.6 x 22.2 cm
Horse : 16,5 x 22,1 cm
Elephant : 16,7 cm x 22,1 cm
Rhinoceros : 16,6 x 22,4 cm

The plate representing the two rams has a ring of fixation on the back, the three others are provided with removable fixation systems. All present some chips without gravity in the porphyry frame.

These four plaques represent either domestic (a horse, two rams) or exotic animals (a rhinoceros and an elephant). Made on slate slabs cut to shape (a rectangle with concave angles), they are all based on the same narrative scheme: in a frame of Egyptian porphyry, an animal in multicoloured marble is represented advancing on a green marble floor, standing out against a black slate background.

These plates were made in Italy, probably in Florence or in Rome, during the 18th century. We think that their primary purpose was to decorate the drawers of a cabinet.

Like many other compositions in hard stone, these plaques were inspired by engravings that were a widespread decorative repertoire in the workshops. Three of the plaques presented here were directly inspired by works by Antonio Tempesta (1555 - 1630): the Rhinoceros, the Polish Horse and the Battle of the Rams. We have not been able to find the exact engraving from which the elephant was made. It is represented here in a particularly dynamic way with its left leg raised.