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Newly discovered documents have shed fascinating light on the story behind a known, but previously misunderstood, 16th-century table. Made of rosewood and inlaid with ivory, this remarkable example of 16th century craftsmanship has been long admired for its beauty. Its provenance, though, had been obscured by time and in 1989, it sold at auction for a sum of £6,000. Since then, research has revealed that the table was once part of the most celebrated of all Italian renaissance collections – that of the Medici family. Now, that same table will be offered for sale at Sotheby’s with an estimate that reflects not only its quality but also its most illustrious of histories: £500,000-£1,000,000.

The table will be sold in Sotheby’s sale of “Treasures” on Tuesday 6th July. It will go on view to the public tomorrow (Saturday 2nd July), and is available to be photographed here at Sotheby’s, 34-35 New Bond Street, today. If you would like to come along to photograph it, or to speak with Mario Tavella, specialist in charge of the sale, please do let me know and I’ll be happy to arrange it.