Table with flowers, fruit, birds and racemes

The table was completed in 1855 and can be considered as the last masterpiece produced during the grand ducal period. Grand duke Leopold II was so pleased that he decided to grant a special bonus to Niccolò Betti, designer and director of the workshop.
On the dark green background, made with Egyptian nephrite, two spirals of racemes with flowers are intertwined, alternating with six birds. Their bright, spring-like colors well match the central wreath and the elements depicted are a perfect example of the naturalistic themes which had always been popular in Florentine mosaic, now renewed in the floral and chromatic luxuriance of late-nineteenth century art.