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PIETRA DURA RECTANGULAR TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Rectangular table top. Marble and hard stones. Presents restoration. Rectangular board made with a technique inspired by Ancient Rome, very similar to marquetry, which uses marble and other hard stones instead of wood, often highlighting them on a black background. A decorated shield resembling a dome has been placed in the centre, and is flanked on the longer sides by two osier-shaped fruit bowls, and on the smaller ones by two bunches of flowers (carnations...) and fruit (cherries). A border frames these motifs, composed of bands that curve in scrolls and heraldic shields under lyres in the corners, and enlivened by parrots perched on them. The inspiration for this work is clearly found in the best examples of the 17th and 18th centuries. The board features a restoration

· Size: 120x240 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AM-167 1...
ROUND PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Square table top. Geometric pattern. Marbles and hard stones. Table top with a concentric composition made from rectangles and triangles of different stones framed by another smooth band. This type of work, although inspired both in materials and technique by those made by the main European workshops of the 16th to 18th centuries, is more reminiscent of the sample boards with which these centres showed off their materials to potential clients due to the prominence of the colours and veins of the stones.

· Size: 90x90 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AM-222 S...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP.

Table top. Hard stones. Table top made of carved and polished hard stones in a marquetry composition inspired, both in technique and elements, by Italian Renaissance and Baroque works.

· Size: 120x3x240 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AM-291 2...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Octagonal table top decorated with hard stone work. Octagonal table top in dark stone decorated with “hard stone work” forming a series of stars in the central area and an elaborate band of flowers towards the outside, in an area separated from the centre by two clear lines. It has been made with a technique similar to inlay that uses marbles and hard stones (more than 7 on the Mohs scale) to make these designs, which emerged in Italy in the Renaissance and was developed in Europe only in a few important factories.

· Size: 120x120 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AM-37 OC...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Square table top. Hard stones and marbles. The centre has been reserved with a black background to further highlight the border decorated with geometric elements framed by shields and simple shapes. The technique, very similar to wood inlay, is inspired by examples made in Italy and other important centres in France and Spain from the 16th to the 18th centuries, but the decorative motifs can be related more to the early examples from Medici Florence, before plants and birds became the main theme of these tables.

· Size: 120x120 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AM-50 SQ...
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.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AWD05 D1...
CIRCULAR PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Circular table top in marble and hard stone. Inspired by Italian models from the 16th-17th centuries. In the centre of the panel, surrounded by a garland of flowers, there is a pearl necklace with a bow. Around this element, there are four vases with birds perched on branches interspersed and, further outwards, a band with vegetal scrolls. This area is framed by another with simplified scrolls and another with more elaborate ones interspersed with scallop shapes and heraldic shields, and perched birds. The fleur-de-lis on the border clearly shows the influence of Gobelins' work on this panel. The French workshop was set up to make this type of inlay for the French court, and is the heir to the native centre of “hard stonework”: the Florence of Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent, who wanted to revive a Roman technique called “opus sectile” mosaic. Mention should also be made of the Royal Workshop of Naples and the one created by Charles III at the Royal Site of El Buen Retiro in Madrid, which closed at the beginning of the 19th century. After 1600, the primacy of the decoration that appeared in the 15th century is clear, and elements such as birds, butterflies and pearl necklaces were added over time. The present example inherits this whole tradition: compare the table made by Francesco Ghinghi in the Real Laboratorio Delle Piedre Dure in Naples (catalogue number O00511) and the board (O00466) from around the mid-18th century, both in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, those kept in the Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence (especially works such as the board made as a model for a table by Jacopo Ligozzi around 1610). Traditionally, a technique very similar to inlay was used, but instead of wood, using marbles of different colours and veins and hard stones (greater than 6 on the Mohs scale) such as lapis lazuli, agates, etc. In the present example, many of those used in works between the 16th and 18th centuries have been included, making it an outstanding work.

· Size: Diam. 150 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AWD1211 ...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Round table top in marble and hard stone. “Vine branches and grapes”. Inspired by Italian models from the 16th-17th centuries. Circular table top with a motif of vine leaves and black and white grapes in the centre on a black background. An outer band, marked with two white lines, highlights this element and shows a variegated composition with various flowers and stems with leaves. This form of inlay, known as “hard stone work”, uses marbles of different colours and veins and stones with a hardness of over 6 on the Mohs scale. Lapis lazuli and Belgian black marble were often used for the backgrounds and, as was often the case with these materials, they had to be imported, hence the high price these works fetched. Desks, furniture, vases, plaques, etc. were made for the high aristocracy and the courts in various European workshops. The technique was born in Florence, thanks to the interest of Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent in revitalising a Roman mosaic technique (opus sectile). From 1600 onwards, naturalistic motifs were preferred over other themes and other important production centres were established: in France, the Gobelins Factory; the Royal Workshop of Naples took over from the Florentine one when the Medici disappeared; in Spain, Charles III established another one at the Royal Site of El Buen Retiro, which disappeared at the beginning of the 19th century. The present example is inspired by this tradition. Compare with works in important collections: those kept at the Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, the table in the Museo del Prado in Madrid made by Francesco Ghinghi at the Real Laboratorio Delle Piedre Dure in Naples (catalogue number O00511), or the panel “Parrot perched on a pear tree” created in the workshops of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in Florence and kept at the Kremlin Museum in Moscow (Russia).

· Size: Diam. 120 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AWD13 D1...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Rectangular table top with marble and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models from the 16th-17th centuries. The vein of a particular stone has been highlighted by placing it in the centre and surrounded by a necklace with round and rhomboidal beads. Around it, a decoration based on floral scrolls stands out, with a marked classical inspiration. To complete the composition, without taking away the central area's prominence, the outer band shows a series of empty mirrors within cartouches reminiscent of those used in the Renaissance. The technique is very similar to inlay, but uses marble and hard stones (more than 7 on the Mohs scale) to make these designs. Desks, boards and other objects were made with “hard stone work”. Lapis lazuli was usually used together with Belgian marble as a background, accompanied by jade, chalcedony, etc. The price of the material and the specialized labor raised the cost of this type of artwork so much that its recipients were only the main houses and courts of the time, which is why today they are only preserved in prominent private collections and important museums. Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent began to support a series of works in Florence to revive, with thematic and technical changes, the Roman mosaic technique called “opus sectile”. It was during this period that the greatest decorative variety was produced, because, from around 1600, naturalistic motifs were the ones that ended up prevailing. Over the years, birds, parrots, lacework, pearls, etc. were also added. The work with hard stones was so successful that, from the 17th century, a series of workshops were created in Europe that continued with this tradition, among which the Gobelins Factory in France, the Royal Workshop of Naples and the El Buen Retiro factory in Madrid stand out. Compare this panel with other masterpieces: the “Panel of the Duke of Osuna” (O00501) made in 1614 and kept in the Museo del Prado in Madrid has a band on the outside that is reminiscent of this one; the “Farnese Table” in the Metropolitan Museum of New York (58-57 AD) also stands out for its grain in the central area; and some are kept in the Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence.

· Size: 180x120 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AWRT229 ...
SQUARED PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Square table top. Marble and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models from the 16th-17th centuries. A frame of simple geometric elements and white oval shields accompanied by architectural details highlights the decorative motif in the centre thanks to its light tones. This motif, set against a dark background, is made up of plant and flower scrolls organised in lines towards the interior, camouflaged by these stems, so that, despite the abundance of decoration, the four-petaled flower in the centre stands out. The “hard stone work” used in this table is very similar to marquetry, but uses marbles and stones with a hardness greater than 6 on the Mohs scale. The idea arose in Florence, when trying to revitalize a type of mosaic used in Ancient Rome called “opus sectile” in the time of the Medici. It was so successful that other workshops soon sprang up in Europe, including the Gobelins Factory in France, the Royal Workshop of Naples and the one established by Charles III in the Royal Site of El Buen Retiro in Madrid, which closed at the beginning of the 19th century. The present example is heir to this tradition. Stylistic influences can also be seen. Although at the beginning there was a great variety of decorative elements in these stone inlays, from around 1600 naturalistic motifs gained prominence, which became more varied over time by including butterflies, birds, fruits, etc. Compare this example with those preserved in the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, with the Roman chessboard from between 1565 and 1590 in the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas in Madrid (inventory CE 27144) or the anonymous Roman chessboard from before 1636 (O00470) in the Museo del Prado.

· Size: 120x120 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AWST91 1...
SQUARE PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Square table top. Marble and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models from the 16th-17th centuries. A pearl necklace with a bow is placed in the centre of the board on a black background. It is surrounded by an area of plant scrolls, flowers and perched birds framed by a band of simplified scrolls. On the outside, eight fish are placed in the corners, facing each other in pairs with a ball, a crown and placed on an architectural motif, visually linked by plant scrolls. This inlay, known as “hard stone work”, which uses coloured marbles and stones with a hardness greater than 6 on the Mohs scale, originated in Florence, thanks to the attempt by Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent to revitalise and update a mosaic technique called “opus sectile” used in Ancient Rome. It was so successful in the European courts that, from the 17th century, a series of workshops were created following its example, among which the Gobelins Factory in France, the Royal Workshop of Naples and the one established by Charles III in the Royal Site of El Buen Retiro in Madrid, which continued to operate until the beginning of the 19th century, are worth mentioning. Stylistically, they began with a striking variety of motifs, but, from around 1600, naturalistic ones were generally preferred (flowers, fruits, butterflies, birds, etc.). Table tops, plaques, desks, vases, etc. were made using this technique, always for the high aristocracy and royalty due to the extremely high prices of these works, due to the high specialization required, since, very often, the raw material had to be imported (lapis lazuli, agates, Belgian black marble was usually for the backgrounds...). The present example is heir to this important tradition, whose influence is demonstrated by comparing it with works such as those in the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, the Roman panel from towards the end of the 16th century (inventory 62,259) in the Metropolitan Museum in New York, or the one made in Naples by Francesco Ghinghi towards the middle of the 18th century (inventory O00511) preserved in the Prado Museum in Madrid.

· Size: 90x90 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: AWST99 9...
RECTANGULAR PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Rectangular table top in marble and hard stone. Inspired by Italian models from the 16th-17th centuries. Two axes of flowers flanked by vegetal scrolls facing each other and arranged geometrically are placed in the centre. This motif is framed by a white line that forms rhombuses on the shorter sides, together with another blue line. Towards the outside, another band leaves square spaces in the corners with simplified flowers and simple scrolls. A wide blue band and a narrower white band remain towards the outside. The technique known as “hard stonework” is similar to marquetry, but uses marbles of different colours and stones with a hardness greater than 6 on the Mohs scale instead of wood. It originated in Florence, with the attempt made by Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent to revitalise an ancient Roman mosaic technique called “opus sectile”. It was so successful that workshops multiplied throughout Europe, including the Gobelins Factory in France, the Royal Workshop of Naples (which took over from the Medici workshop) and the one established in the Royal Site of El Buen Retiro in Madrid by Charles III, which had the support of quality local specialists but was closed by Napoleon in 1808 and destroyed in 1812. The objects produced (desks, tables, vases, plaques, etc.) initially showed a great decorative variety, but from around 1600 onwards, a clear predominance of naturalistic elements over geometric ones was noted: flowers, fruit, birds, pearls, butterflies, etc. The present example is heir to this tradition, as can be seen by comparing it with works such as the table in the Prado Museum in Madrid made by Francesco Ghinghi at the Real Laboratorio Delle Piedre Dure in Naples (catalogue number O00511), or the board from the late 16th or early 17th century created in Rome (inventory 62,259) in the Metropolitan Museum in New York, or those kept at the Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence or the examples in the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas in Madrid. However, it is worth highlighting the update towards more contemporary tastes that can be seen in the geometric interplay created with the white and blue bands.

· Size: 150x90 cms.
DECORATION
HARDS STONES

Ref.: ZAAWRT35...