From the mid-nineteenth century, a series of large international exhibitions known as ‘Universal Exhibitions’ were organised to showcase the artistic and industrial achievements of different nations around the world. The private stone mosaic workshops of Florence were recognised globally for their supremacy in the craft of commessi di pietre dure (hardstone mosaic). This tabletop with a black background, colourful border and naturalistic depiction of flowers (or in other instances fruit, insects, shells and pearls) is typical of the late nineteenth-century Florentine production. The inclusion of tables like this in the exhibitions conveyed the excellence and refinement of Florentine craft. The black background surface has no visible joins between the stone pieces, suggesting it was made of one slab of marble. The roses and lilies in the bouquet of flowers at the centre of the tabletop are made from shells rather than a pale hardstone, like chalcedony, that was used traditionally.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.