An imposing Venetian 18th-century style carved walnut font / jardinière, richly patinated to a lustrous colour, presents an exuberant display of sculptural carving. Its Clam like shell-form basin is deeply fluted beneath and edged with sweeping, naturalistic ridges. Three semi clad carved Mermaid figures support the bowl.
Below, scrolling acanthus detail unite the figures with the shaped shelf beneath. Slender, elegant splayed legs descend to carved claw feet, lending the composition stability and graceful movement. The contrast between polished flesh, textured hair and rugged shell carving animates this decorative centrepiece, and  would suit a classical interior or an eclectic display.
attributed to;
Vincenzo Cadorin (1854 - 1925) sculptor and eboniste, was trained in the studio of Augusto Benvenuti and then studied at the Venetian Academy. He worked near Dresden in 1886 as cabinet maker for the Queen of Saxony.
See Christopher Payne, 19th Century European Furniture, p.434, pl.1284 for an almost identical table.
Batch 90 SYZZE 63150