19th Century Italian Renaissance Style Griffon Carved Walnut Hexagonal Table

Striking Renaissance Revival period figural carved triple pedestal occasional table featuring Griffons – the legendary mythological hybrid of Eagle & Lion. Relative to the Egyptian Sphinx, the Griffon has been depicted in Europe in Roman bronzes of the 1st century, the Pisa Cathedral of the 11th century, the Crown of Perugia of the 13th century. Griffons are also featured in the Palace of Knossos, Crete, and St Mark’s Basilica in Venice. A symbol of divine power and guardian of universal treasures throughout the Middle Ages, the mythological expression in rich hardwood handcraft has survived the millennia, and is represented in this antique table in old Italian Walnut with authentic Italian dark shellac patina, circa 1820.