PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES. “FLOWER”.

Circular marble and hard stone board. “Flor”. Inspired by Italian models from the 16th-17th centuries. A flower surrounded by vegetal scrolls is presented as the main motif in the centre, and is highlighted by its brown colours, in contrast with the paler colours of the surroundings, made from vegetal elements and branches with fruit on which several birds are perched while butterflies are outlined against the black background. The board is made using a technique similar to wood inlay, using marble and various hard stones such as lapis lazuli. The history of “hard stone work” began with Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent in Florence, who wanted to revitalise the Roman mosaic technique (opus sectile) made with coloured stones with the appropriate variations in theme and technique. After 1600, the primacy of naturalistic motif decoration over the other themes that appeared in the 15th century became clear. In the 17th century, France was the first court to show a clear interest in the hard stone technique, establishing local production centres (the Gobelin Factory), while in Italy, the Royal Workshop of Naples took over from the Florentine one that had already disappeared by then. In Spain, Charles III established another one in the Royal Palace of Buen Retiro in Madrid, which closed at the beginning of the 19th century. Over time, and based on the prominence of plant motifs, the models changed to suit the tastes of the time. These works were always made for the high aristocracy and the courts due to the high cost of materials and labour. The present example is a worthy heir to this important tradition. Compare it with those preserved in the Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, the panel by Francesco Ghinghi (O00511) or the one made in Naples (O00466) in the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

· Size: Diam. 120 cms.