An Exceptional Marquetry Centre Table

A Marquetry and Olive Oyster Centre Table made in the 19th Century from a 17th Century Marquetry piece, possibly a chest on stand. The Marquetry relates closely to documented pieces by Gerrit Jensen including those at Ham House. The use of leaf work made from bone that is dyed green including white bone Jasmin flower is rare and gives a spectacular affect similar to pietra dura, it was used by leading Marqueters of the 17th Century including Jenson. We found it most interesting trying to identify the flowers as there are so many, amongst others here are Carnations, Peonies, tulips and fascinatingly to the centre a drooping Sunflower.
 
A dropping or drooping sunflower most commonly symbolizes the heavy burden of grief, emotional exhaustion, or the inevitability of aging. It is possible the piece was commissioned in grief as a token of Love. The double hart motif to the corners lends weight to this theory, other examples have a hart shape to the corner but this is possibly the only one known with the double.
 
 
Similar examples that have been constructed into something else at a later date are known, it seems these masterpieces were so highly thought of that when damaged or for other reasons craftsmen were commissioned to reimagine them.
 
Adam Bowett talks of this in his wonderful book on Jenson.
 
 
A piece made using a 17th Century Marquetry top attributed to Gerrit Jensen and added to a plain Walnut base Circa 1720 was offered at Sothebys lot 82, 6 December 2023. Estimate 70,000 - 100,000 GBP.
 
 
Height 81cm, Width 98cm Depth 59cm