A GHASTLY WORK OF ART.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8002, 21 October 1887, Page 3

A GHASTLY WORK OF ART.

In the Pitti Palace, at Florence, is a toble which, for originality in the matter of construction and ghasiliness in conception, is probably without a rival. It was made by Giuseppe Sagatti, who passed several j'ears of his life in its manufacture. To the casual observer it gives the impression of a curious mosaic of marbles of different shades and colours, for it looks like polished stone. In reality, says the Medical Press and Circular, it is composed of human muscles and viscera. No less than a hundred bodies were requisitioned for the material. The table is round, and about a yard in diameter, with a pedestal and four claw feet, the whole being formed of petrified human remains. The ornaments of the pedestal are made from the intestines, the claws with hearte, livers, and lungs, the natural color of which is preserved. The table top is constructed of muscles artistically airanged, and it is bordpred with upwards of 100 eyes, the effect of which is said to be highly artistic since they retain all their lustre and seem to follow the observer. Sa§ialti died about fifty years ago. He obtained his bodies from the hospitals, and indurated them by imoregnation with mineral Baits. To add to the horror which such a piece of furniture is calculated to inspire in the minds of most people, the fate of Count Eittaboca, its last owner, may be related. One Christmas Eve be aad bis friends were play in* caids on this table, when suddenly he jumped up pale and ajzitated, overcome by the fixed gaze of those petrified eyes. Yielding to a sudden attack of violent mania, he stabbed himself and fell upon the table. His heirs, as may be imagined, were very pleased to sell this funereal object to the Government, who installed it in its present situation.