Large polychrome scagliola panel Altar antipendium, the central scene depicting the allegory of the theological virtues, the hope of the Blessed Sacrament, faith, charity; the Virgin and Child Jesus on the left seated on clouds, the man on the right carrying the anchor of the Christian martyr in an imaginary seascape. The border is decorated with birds perched on fruiting and flourishing branches. GPL monograms in the spandrels. (Accents, chips and old restorations, Campan marble border) Italy, Naples 18th century. L. 137 cm - D.84 cm Resting on a neo-classical blackened wood base. Overall dimensions H. 91 cm - W. 137 cm - D. 84 cm Scagliole technique: Today, as in the past, scagliola is produced by reducing a mineral stone, selenite, to powder and mixing it with natural colored pigments and animal glue. The original design is transferred to a slab of marble or scagliola with a coin, then engraved with a hammer and chisel. The colored mixtures fill the engraved drawing and are leveled with water and pumice stone. The work is then engraved again with a chisel to obtain different colors and shades.