A chariot race, in wood and gold.
Here, a charioteer drives a team of galloping horses across a bank of clouds, the whole scene cut from pale wood and set into a field of warm, glowing veneer. The horses’ manes fly, the wheel turns, and the figure leans into the reins, all in fine, delicate lines. Around them, a flowing border of scrolls, tendrils, and flowers winds through the shaped, curvaceous outline of the tray, which is covered in a high-gloss finish that makes the grain shimmer. The mirrored, chevron figure of the wood radiates from the center like the feathers of a wing. A brass gallery rail edged in a twisted rope, and a pair of turned brass handles, complete the look.
Marquetry, the art of composing pictures from thin pieces of different woods, has been practiced in Italy since the 15th century, and nowhere is it more closely associated than in Sorrento. Sorrento marquetry as we know it was born around 1830, when a local cabinetmaker began decorating his furniture with inlays that played the pale tones of orange wood against walnut. Small inlaid objects, such as boxes and trays, became the souvenirs of choice for travelers on the Grand Tour. The craftsmen of Sorrento prefer to use veneers in naturally different colors rather than dyes, so every shade you see here comes from the wood itself.
At 23" by 15.5", it’s a generous tray with real presence. Use it for serving cocktails, coffee, or tea, on a bar cart or an ottoman, or as a stylish landing spot for the day’s keys and books on a console. The brass gallery keeps bottles and glasses in place, and it looks just as handsome propped on an easel or a sideboard as a piece of art.
Details
Italian inlaid wood marquetry tray, classical chariot scene with arabesque scroll border, high-gloss veneer finish, brass gallery rail with twisted edge, two brass handles, 23" x 15.5"
Tucked inside every set, a little something for first time Tavola customers — a hand-finished vintage passport notebook. Note the piece, the moment, the person you gave it to. One day these pieces will sit in someone else's hands — and they'll know it came from yours.
A chariot race, in wood and gold.
Here, a charioteer drives a team of galloping horses across a bank of clouds, the whole scene cut from pale wood and set into a field of warm, glowing veneer. The horses’ manes fly, the wheel turns, and the figure leans into the reins, all in fine, delicate lines. Around them, a flowing border of scrolls, tendrils, and flowers winds through the shaped, curvaceous outline of the tray, which is covered in a high-gloss finish that makes the grain shimmer. The mirrored, chevron figure of the wood radiates from the center like the feathers of a wing. A brass gallery rail edged in a twisted rope, and a pair of turned brass handles, complete the look.
Marquetry, the art of composing pictures from thin pieces of different woods, has been practiced in Italy since the 15th century, and nowhere is it more closely associated than in Sorrento. Sorrento marquetry as we know it was born around 1830, when a local cabinetmaker began decorating his furniture with inlays that played the pale tones of orange wood against walnut. Small inlaid objects, such as boxes and trays, became the souvenirs of choice for travelers on the Grand Tour. The craftsmen of Sorrento prefer to use veneers in naturally different colors rather than dyes, so every shade you see here comes from the wood itself.
At 23" by 15.5", it’s a generous tray with real presence. Use it for serving cocktails, coffee, or tea, on a bar cart or an ottoman, or as a stylish landing spot for the day’s keys and books on a console. The brass gallery keeps bottles and glasses in place, and it looks just as handsome propped on an easel or a sideboard as a piece of art.
Details
Italian inlaid wood marquetry tray, classical chariot scene with arabesque scroll border, high-gloss veneer finish, brass gallery rail with twisted edge, two brass handles, 23" x 15.5"
Tucked inside every set, a little something for first time Tavola customers — a hand-finished vintage passport notebook. Note the piece, the moment, the person you gave it to. One day these pieces will sit in someone else's hands — and they'll know it came from yours.
