Large Italian silver, parcel-gilt, and hardstone centrepiece from Milan, c.1980

Large Italian silver, parcel-gilt, and hardstone centrepiece from Milan, c.1980
Italian, Late 20th Century
Weight: 14.064 kg
Height 40cm, width 69cm, depth 52cm
 
Bearing the mark of Argenteria Fiorentini & Spertini, of Milan, c.1980, this magnificent centrepiece is a large, extensive, parcel-gilt, silver, and precious stone sculpture demonstrating the quality of Italian and particularly Milanese decorative metalwork from the late twentieth century.
 
It is mounted on a oval-shaped base which is cast with rocaille, and is raised on eight wide-ribbon scrolled feet. This is turn is centred by a large, bright, immaculately veneered malachite central oval, and it is mounted variously around the side with a series of carved hardstone fruits. The central dish, with further everted ribbon scrolls, is supported by a series of four gilt pegasus sculptures, which are superbly sculpted, giving the piece an evocative mythological flair. The dish features an array of parcel-gilt fruit, including pineapples, pears, pomegranates, and citruses, which are applied with additional hardstone fruit and berries. The piece is marked on sides of both tiers and leaf of pineapple.
 
Artist/Maker: Argenteria Fiorentini & Spertini, of Milan