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PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Circular tabletop "Sample" (Specimen D90). Marbles and hard stones.
Circular board decorated with a composition based on plates of different stones arranged in rectangles and squares in a concentric way. The technique is very similar to that used by important European workshops from the 16th to the 18th century, and the decoration, giving the prominence to the materials, reminds of the so-called samples that these same centers carried out."

· Size: Diámetro 90 cms.
DECORATION
HARD STONE

Ref.: AM-146 D...
PIETRA DURA RECTANGULAR TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Rectangular table top. Marble and hard stones.
Rectangular board made with a technique inspired by Ancient Rome very similar to marquetry, which uses marbles and other hard stones instead of wood, highlighting them very often on a black background. A coat of arms decorated resembling a dome has been placed in the center, and is flanked on the longest sides by two separate fruit bowls, and on the smaller ones by two bouquets of flowers (carnations ...) and fruits (cherries). A border frames these motifs, made up of bands that curve in scrolls and heraldic shields under lyres in the corners, and animated with parrots perched on them. The inspiration in the best examples of the 17th and 18th centuries for the realization of this work is clear.
The board features a restoration"

· Size: 120x240 cms.
DECORATION
HARD STONE

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

Marble board and hard stones in console format. Empire style
The shape of the board makes it more suitable for use on a console, while the simple decoration based on geometric shapes and marked symmetry can be considered influenced by the French Empire style and reminds the samplers that, sometimes, made the main European workshops of hard stone works to show the veins and colors of the materials they used, following a technique very similar to wood taracea, in their work since the 16th century."

· Size: 125x55 cms.
DECORATION
HARD STONE

Ref.: AM-221 1...
ROUND PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Square table top. Geometric model. Marbles and hard stones.
Table top with a concentric composition made of rectangles and triangles of different stones framed by another smooth band. This type of work, although inspired both in materials and technology, in the works carried out by the main European workshops of the XVI to XVIII centuries, is more reminiscent of the sample boards with which these centers showed their materials to potential clients for the Protagonism of the colors and streaks of the stones."

· Size: 90x90 cms.
DECORATION
HARD STONE

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

Tabletop Hard stones.
Tabletop made of hard carved and polished stones in a marquetry composition inspired, both in the technique and in the elements, in Italian works of the Renaissance and Baroque."

· Size: 120x3x240 cms.
DECORATION
HARD STONE

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

Rectangular table top. "Bird and butterfly." Marbles and hard stones.
Board decorated with a central motif of bird perched and butterfly surrounded by a shield with volutes and branches, highlighted with a frame with scrolls, aveneradas forms in the corners, lacerías, florecillas and fruits. Both stylistically and technically, it is inspired by the examples made in Italy after the development of hard stone inlay in the sixteenth century, which spread across Europe for its value."

· Size: 180x90 cms.
DECORATION
HARD STONE

Ref.: AM-293 1...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

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

· Size: 120x120 cms.
DECORATION
HARD STONE

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

Square tabletop. Hard stones and marbles.
The center has been reserved with the black background to highlight even more the border decorated with geometric elements framed in shields and simple forms. The technique, very similar to wood inlay, is inspired by the examples made in Italy and other important centers in France and Spain from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, but the decorative motifs can be related more to the first examples of Florence of the Medici, before plants and birds became the main theme of these tables."

· Size: 120x120 cms.
DECORATION
HARD STONE

Ref.: AM-50 SQ...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Rectangular table top. Marbles and hard stones.
An outer frame made of bands and circles emphasizes the central decoration, symmetrical and formed with vegetal scrolls, stems, flowers and posed birds. Both the technique used, similar to marquetry with wood, and birds and plants are inspired by the important work done by a few European workshops throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries."

· Size: 89x152 cms.
DECORATION
HARD STONE

Ref.: AM-61 90...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES. “FLOWER”.

Circular marble board and hard stones. "Flower". Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.
A flower surrounded by vegetal scrolls is presented as the main motif in the center, and is highlighted by its brown colors, in contrast to the paler ones in the environment, made from plant elements and branches with fruits on which there are several birds perched while Some butterflies are cut out on the black background.
To make the board, a technique similar to wood inlay has been used, using marbles and different hard stones such as lapis lazuli. The history of the "hard stone work" was born with Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent in Florence, who wanted to revitalize technique of the Roman mosaic (opus sectile) made with colored stones with the relevant variations of subject and technique. After 1600, the primacy of the decoration of naturalistic motifs is clear over the rest of the themes that appeared in the 15th century. In the seventeenth century France was the first court to show a clear interest in the hard stone technique by establishing local production centers (Factory of Gobelins) and, while in Italy, the Royal Workshop of Naples takes over from the Florentine then disappeared. In Spain, Carlos III established another one in the Real Palacio del Buen Retiro in Madrid, which closed at the beginning of the 19th century. With the passage of time, and based on the prominence of the plant motifs, the models were changed to adapt to the tastes of the time.
They were always works made for the high aristocracy and the courts for the high price of materials and labor. The present example is worthy heir to this important tradition. Compare the ones preserved in the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum in Florence, the panel by Francesco Ghinghi (O00511) or the one made in Naples (O00466) at the Museo del Prado in Madrid."

· Size: Diam. 120 cms.
DECORATION

Ref.: AWD05 D1...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES. “FLOWER”.

Circular panel made of marble and hard stones. "Flower". Inspired by Italian models from the 16th-17th centuries.
A flower surrounded by vegetal scrolls presents / displays like main motive in the center, and is outstanding by its brown colors, in contrast to the pale ones of the environment, made with vegetal elements and branches with fruits on which there are several birds perched while Some butterflies are cut out on the black background.
To make the board has been used a technique similar to the inlay in wood using marbles and different hard stones like lapis lazuli. The history of "hard stone work" was born with Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent in Florence, who wanted to revitalize the technique of the Roman mosaic (opus sectile) made with colored stones with the relevant variations of thematic and technical. After 1600 the primacy of the decoration of naturalistic motifs on the other themes that appeared in the fifteenth century is clear. In the seventeenth century France was the first court to show a clear interest in the technique of hard stone establishing local production centers (Factory of Gobelins) and, while in Italy, the Royal Workshop of Naples takes over the Florentine and by Then disappeared. In Spain, Carlos III established another one in the Real Palace of the Good Retirement of Madrid, that closed at the beginning of century XIX. With the passage of time, and based on the protagonism of the vegetable motifs, the models were changed to suit the tastes of the time.
It was always work done for the high aristocracy and the courts for the high price of materials and labor. The present example is a worthy heir to this important tradition. Compare with those preserved in the Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure of Florence, the board of Francesco Ghinghi (O00511) or the one realized in Naples (O00466) of the Museum of the Prado of Madrid."

· Size: Diam. 90 cms.
DECORATION

Ref.: AWD05 D9...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Circular table top made of marbles and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.
The central circle has been highlighted by concentric bands of different widths decorated with ovals, diamonds and rectangles, some framed, to which are added little flowers and very simplified plant elements on the outside. The black background is barely visible, and, despite the great abundance of elements, the central red stone is the star of the composition.
The beginning of this technique, known as "hard stone work" was produced in Florence, thanks to the support of Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent to revitalize the technique of the Roman mosaic (opus sectile) made with colored stones, applying the relevant variations of subject and technique. From the seventeenth century, in addition to a change of theme with the primacy of the decoration of naturalistic motifs over the rest, other workshops arose in Europe: the Royal Workshop of Naples takes over from the vanished Florentine, the Factory of Gobelins in France and the one established by Carlos III in the Real Palacio del Buen Retiro of Madrid. With the passage of time, the reasons used in these works would change slightly, adding details such as birds or pearl necklaces. With this technique were made desks, tabletops, panels and plates, vases, etc., and the recipients were the court and the high aristocracy due to the high price they acquired. The materials used were, always, marbles of different colors and stones of a hardness in the scale of Mohs greater than 6, which were, often, imported.
The present example is inspired by this tradition. Compare, for example, with the Italian panel (O00134) of the late 16th century at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, the table of the Loggetta del Tempo at the Villa di Poggio Imperiale in Florence, that of the Villa del Príncipe in Genoa, the preserved in the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum in Florence, or the "Mesa Farnesio" (58.57 ad) from around 1565-1573 held in Italy and kept at the Metropolitan Museum in New York."

· Size: Diam. 120 cms.
DECORATION

Ref.: AWD11A D...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Circular table top made of marbles and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.
Circular board with an outer strip decorated with ovals, circles and polygons alternated with plant elements, and a central area with a circular motif flanked on four sides by tondos, the five highlighted by simple figures inserted into other thin bands. The background of this central area is completed with plant elements of classicist inspiration.
It has been done with a technique similar to inlay that uses marbles and hard stones (more than 7 on the Mohs scale) to make those designs. Clearly highlights the lapis lazuli, but it was also very common to use in these examples azurite, chalcedony, jasper, etc., often highlighted on black Belgian marble.
The prominence of geometry relates the present to the beginning of the European tradition of the works of this material. It was Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent who began to support in Florence a series of works to recover, with thematic and technical changes, the Roman technique of the mosaic "opus sectile". It is in this era where the greatest decorative variety of these boards, desks, plates was produced ..., because, from around 1600, it was the naturalist motifs that ended up prevailing. Over the years, in addition, birds, parrots, laceries, pearls, etc. were added. So successful was the work of hard stones that, since the seventeenth 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 factory stand out. Buen Retiro in Madrid.
Compare this work with masterpieces such as those preserved in the Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, or the "Tablero de Felipe II" made in a Roman workshop before 1587 and preserved in the Museo del Prado in Madrid (O00452), or the Getty Museum in Florence or Rome towards the end of the 16th century or the beginning of the 17th century (HS9429). Due to the high price of the material used as well as the need to have highly specialized personnel for these creations, only some of them were made in such high quality, and were destined to the main courts and palaces, so that examples are preserved only in museums such as those mentioned and in important private collections .."

· Size: Diam. 120 cms.
DECORATION

Ref.: AWD11B D...
CIRCULAR PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Circular tabletop in marbles and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.
In the center of the board, surrounded by a garland of flowers, has been placed a pearl necklace with a bow. Around this element, four vases with birds perched on interspersed branches and, more towards the outside, a band with vegetal scrolls are presented. They frame this area with simplified scrolls and one with others more worked and interspersed with avenerated forms and heraldic shields, and posed birds.
The fleur-de-lis on the edge clearly shows the influence of Gobelino's works on this board. The French workshop was created with the aim of making this type of inlay for the court of this country, and is the heir of the native center of the "hard stone work": the Florence of Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent, who wanted to revive a Roman technique called mosaic "opus sectile". It is also necessary to mention the Royal Workshop of Naples and the one created by Carlos III in the Real Sitio of El Buen Retiro in Madrid, which closed at the beginning of the 19th century. After 1600 the primacy of decoration that appeared in the fifteenth century is clear, and elements such as birds, butterflies and pearl necklaces were added over time. The present example inherits all this tradition: compare with the table realized by Francesco Ghinghi in the Real Laboratory Delle Piedre Dure of Naples (number of catalog O00511) and the board (O00466) of towards half-full of century XVIII, both in the Museum of the Prado from Madrid, those preserved in the Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence (especially works such as the panel made as a model for a table by Jacopo LIgozzi around 1610).
Traditionally, a technique very similar to the inlay was used, but using, instead of wood, marbles of different colors and streaks and hard stones (greater than 6 in the Mohs scale) such as lapis lazuli, agates ... In the present example They have included many of those employed in the works of the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, which makes it an outstanding work."

· Size: Diam. 150 cms.
DECORATION

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

Round tabletop in marbles and hard stones. "Pompanos and grapes". Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.

Circular tabletop with a pattern of grape leaves and black and white grapes in the center on a black background. An outer band, marked with two white lines, highlights this element and shows a variegated composition with varied flowers and stems with leaves.
This form of inlay, called "hard stone work", uses marbles of different colors and streaks and stones with a hardness on the scale of Mohs greater than 6. The lapis lazuli and black Belgian marble for the backgrounds were used very often and , as it used to happen with these materials, it was necessary to import them, hence the high price that these works acquired. Desks, furniture, vases, plates ... were made for the high aristocracy and the courts in different European workshops.
The technique was born in Florence, thanks to the interest on the part of Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent to revitalize a technique of the Roman mosaic (opus sectile). From 1600, naturalistic motifs were preferred over the rest of the subjects and other production centers of great importance were established: in France, the Gobelin Factory; the Royal Workshop of Naples took over from the Florentine when the Medici disappeared; in Spain, Carlos III established another one in the Real Sitio de El Buen Retiro, which disappeared at the beginning of the 19th century. The present example is inspired by this tradition. Compare works preserved in important collections: those preserved in the Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, the table in the Museo del Prado in Madrid by Francesco Ghinghi in the Real Laboratorio Delle Piedre Dure in Naples (catalog number O00511), or the panel "Parrot perched in a pear tree" created in the workshops of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in Florence and kept in the Moscow Kremlin Museum (Russia)."

· Size: Diam. 120 cms.
DECORATION

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

Rectangular table top with marbles and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.
The vein of a particular stone has been highlighted by placing it in the center and surrounded by a necklace with round and rhomboidal beads. Around him, it emphasizes a decoration based on vegetal scrolls with flowers, of marked classicist inspiration. To complete the composition, without removing the protagonism of the central area, the outer band shows a series of empty mirrors inside the posters that remind those employed in the Renaissance.
The technique is very similar to inlay, but it uses marbles and hard stones (more than 7 on the Mohs scale) to make those designs. They were made with "hard stone work" desks, boards and other objects. Usually, lapis lazuli was used together with Belgian marble in the background, accompanied by jades, chalcedony, etc. The price of the material and that of the specialized labor raised so much the cost of this type of works of art that its recipients were only the main houses and courts of the time, for what today they only conserve in outstanding private collections and in important museums.
Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent who began to support in Florence a series of works to recover, with thematic and technical changes, the Roman mosaic technique called "opus sectile". It is in this era where the greatest decorative variety was produced, because, from around 1600, it was the naturalist motifs that ended up prevailing. Over the years, in addition, birds, parrots, laceries, pearls, etc. were added. So successful was the work of hard stones that, since the seventeenth 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 factory stand out. Buen Retiro in Madrid.
Compare the present panel with other masterpieces: the "Board of the Duke of Osuna" (O00501) made in 1614 and conserved in the Prado Museum of Madrid has a band to the exterior that remembers it; also highlights the vein of the stone in its central area the "Mesa Farnesio" of the Metropolitan Museum of New York (58.57 ad); and some preserved in the Museum Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence."

· Size: 180x120 cms.
DECORATION

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

Rectangular table top in marbles and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.

Two axes of flowers flanked by vegetal scrolls facing each other and with geometric arrangement have been placed in the center. This motif frames a white line that forms rhombs on the smaller sides, along with another blue line. To the outside, another band leaves squared 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 stone work" resembles that of marquetry, but uses marbles of different colors and stones of a hardness greater than 6 on the Mohs scale instead of wood. He was born in Florence, with the attempt carried out by Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent to revitalize a mosaic technique of Ancient Rome called "opus sectile". Such was the success, that the workshops multiplied throughout Europe, among which the Factory of Gobelins in France, the Royal Workshop of Naples (which took over from the Medici) and the one established at the Real Sitio de El Buen stand out Withdrawal from Madrid by Carlos III, which had the support of quality local specialists but was closed with Napoleon in 1808 and destroyed in 1812.
The objects made (desks, tables, vases, plates ...) showed at the beginning a great decorative variety, but, from around 1600, a clear protagonism of the naturalistic elements over the geometric ones was noticed: flowers, fruits, birds, pearls, butterflies ... This example is the heir of this tradition, as shown by comparing it with works such as the Madrid Prado table made by Francesco Ghinghi at the Real Laboratorio Delle Piedre Dure in Naples (catalog number O00511), or the board of the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century created in Rome (inventory 62.259) of the Metropolitan Museum of New York, or those preserved in the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum in Florence or the examples of the National Museum of Decorative Arts in Madrid. However, it is necessary to emphasize the update towards more contemporary tastes that can be appreciated in the geometric game made with the white and blue bands."

· Size: 120x75 cms
DECORATION

Ref.: AWRT35 1...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Rectangular table top of marbles and hard stones.
The central motif of the board is a parrot perched on the branch of a fruit tree. It has been highlighted with a polygonal frame decorated with simple geometric elements. Around this one a band has been drawn drawing curves and straight areas in the manner of the Renaissance scrolls, and the composition completes a plethora of bouquets with varied flowers and leaves, interspersed with that band.
The technique used, called hard stone work, is very similar to marquetry, but it uses colored marbles and stones of a hardness, usually greater than 7 on the Mohs scale. Lapis lazuli, Belgian black marble as a background, jades, azurite, etc. are common in this type of work, and with these plates a variety of elements such as tables, desks, panels or pedestals were decorated.
Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent supported in Florence the recovery, with thematic and technical changes, of the Roman mosaic technique “opus sectile”. It is at this time that the greatest decorative variety was produced, because, from around 1600, it was naturalistic motifs that ended up prevailing, and it is with this evolution that the present example can be compared. Over the years, in addition, birds, parrots, lacerias, pearls, etc. were added. The hard stone work was so successful that, since the 17th century, a series of workshops were created in Europe that continued with this tradition, among which the Gobelin Factory in France, the Royal Workshop of Naples and the El factory stand out. Good Retreat in Madrid.
Only large museums and prominent private collections retain similar examples. Compare the so-called “Scagiola” of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (W. 6-1933) made in the 18th century, those of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum in Florence, or a board with owls and birds in the Villa di Poggio Imperiale from the same city, or one from the Prado Museum in Madrid by Francesco Ghinghi at the Royal Delle Piedre Dure Laboratory in Naples (catalog number O00511)."

· Size: 240x120 cms.
DECORATION

Ref.: AWRT97 2...
SQUARED PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Square table top. Marbles 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, thanks to their light tones, the decorative motif of the center. This one, placed on a dark background, is formed by vegetal scrolls and flowers organized by lines towards the interior, camouflaged thanks to these stems, so that, in spite of the decorative abundance, it emphasizes the flower of four petals of the center.
The "work of hard stones" used in this table is very similar to the marquetry, but uses marbles and stones of a hardness greater than 6 in the scale of Mohs. The idea arose in Florence, when trying to revitalize a type of mosaic that used in the ancient Rome called "opus sectile" in time of the Medici. Other European workshops, such as the Gobelins Factory in France, the Royal Workshop in Naples and the one established by Carlos III at 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.
And you can also see stylistic influences. Although at the beginning there was a great variety of decorative elements in these stone inlays, from 1600 the naturalistic motives gained, which were gaining in variety with the time to include butterflies, birds, fruits ... Compare the present example with the conserved ones in The Opificio delle Pietre Dure of Florence, with the Roman chessboard between 1565 and 1590 of the National Museum of Decorative Arts of Madrid (inventory CE 27144) or the Roman anonymous board before 1636 (O00470) of the Museo del Prado."

· Size: 120x120 cms.
DECORATION

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

Square tabletop. Marbles and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.

A pearl necklace with a bow has been placed in the center of the board, on a black background. It is surrounded by an area of \u200b\u200bvegetal scrolls, flowers and birds perched framed with a band of simplified scrolls. On the outside, eight fish have been placed in the corners facing each other two with a ball, a crown and placed on an architectural motif, visually united by means of vegetal scrolls.
This inlay, called "hard stone work", which uses colored marbles and stones of a hardness greater than 6 on the scale of Mohs arose in Florence, thanks to the attempt of Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent to revitalize and update a technique mosaic called "opus sectile" used in Ancient Rome. Such success had in the European courts, that, since the seventeenth century, a series of workshops were created following his example, among which we must highlight the Factory of Gobelins in France, the Royal Workshop of Naples and the one established by Carlos III in the Real Site of El Buen Retiro in Madrid, which continued in operation until the beginning of the 19th century. Stylistically, they began with a striking variety of motifs, but, since about 1600, naturalists (flowers, fruits, butterflies, birds ...) were preferred as a general rule.
They were made with this technique tabletops, plates, desks, vases, etc., always for the high aristocracy and royalty for the high prices of these jobs, due to the high specialization required since, very often, they had to import the raw material (lapis lazuli, agates, Belgian black marble used to be for the funds ...).
The present example is the heir of this important tradition, whose influence is shown by comparing it with works such as the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, the Roman panel of the late 16th century (inventory 62.259) of the Metropolitan Museum of 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

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

Circular tabletop in marbles and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.

A prominent circle with a thin smooth white frame has been placed in the center of the board, from which a series of bands depart. These mark the starting points of another series of bands that draw a star, intersecting each other in a complicated geometric motif. Outside, a simple band based on black and white triangles focuses attention on this spiral.
The technique known as "hard stone work" is a inlay that uses marbles of different colors and veins and stones of a hardness of 6 or more on the Mohs scale. He was born in Florence, in the environment of Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent, who wanted to revitalize a technique of Roman mosaic called "opus sectile". After 1600 it is clear the primacy of the decoration that appeared in the fifteenth century. In the seventeenth century France was the first court to show a clear interest in the technique of hard stone establishing local production centers (Factory of Gobelins) and, while in Italy, before the disappearance of the Medici, Naples took over ( Real Workshop). Carlos III came to Spain with several teachers with the intention of organizing another workshop in this country, and were installed in the Buen Retiro Palace with the porcelain factory, starting a work that had the support of quality local specialists but was closed with Napoleon in 1808 and destroyed in 1812. Stylistically, the plant elements predominated, sometimes animated with small birds, pearls, scallops, butterflies, etc., always showing influences from both the Renaissance and the Baroque and Neoclassicism.
Stylistically, however, one can not speak of the influence of this tradition in the present example because the geometric motifs used between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries were much simpler than it is, which makes it a high-quality work that follows more contemporary aesthetic tastes."

· Size: Diam. 90 cms.
DECORATION

Ref.: ZAAWD15 ...
PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Rectangular table top in marbles and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.

Rectangular board with a central area decorated by three prominent ovals with a band of geometric patterns, and four reservations in the corners with stars; This area completes a series of plant elements of clear classicist inspiration. Outside, a frame with rhombus in the corners and circular geometric patterns completes the work and highlights the stone of those three ovals.
Hard stone work is a technique similar to marquetry that, instead of wood, uses marbles and stones of a hardness greater than 7 on the Mohs scale. For example, lapis lazuli, jades of different colors, alabaster, paragone, Belgian black marble are common in these works ... Due to the high price of raw material, which often had to be imported, and coupled with the fact that it was essential to have a hand Of very specialized work, the works made with this technique reached a high price, so that the desks, boards, plates and others were destined to the main houses and courts of the time.
The prominence of geometry and highlighting areas of stone relates the present example to the beginning of the tradition of hard stone work. Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent promoted in Florence the recovery, with thematic and technical changes, the Roman mosaic technique "opus sectile". It is at this time that the greatest decorative variety was produced, because, from around 1600, it was naturalistic motifs that ended up prevailing. Over the years, in addition, birds, parrots, lacerias, pearls, etc. were added. The hard stone work was so successful that, since the 17th century, a series of workshops were created in Europe that continued with this tradition, among which the Gobelin Factory in France, the Royal Workshop of Naples and the El factory stand out. Good Retreat in Madrid.
Only important private collections and outstanding museums have similar examples in their funds. For example, let's mention those of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum in Florence, the tabletop with alabaster oval of the Prado Museum in Madrid (O00134) made towards the end of the 16th century in a Roman workshop, or the Roman one of the Metropolitan Museum of New York (inventory 62,259)."

· Size: 240x120 cms.
DECORATION

Ref.: ZAAWRT01...
RECTANGULAR PIETRA DURA TABLETOP. MARBLE AND HARDSTONES.

Rectangular table top in marbles and hard stones. Inspired by Italian models of the XVI-XVII centuries.

Two axes of flowers flanked by vegetal scrolls facing each other and with geometric arrangement have been placed in the center. This motif frames a white line that forms rhombs on the smaller sides, along with another blue line. To the outside, another band leaves squared 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 stone work" resembles that of marquetry, but uses marbles of different colors and stones of a hardness greater than 6 on the Mohs scale instead of wood. He was born in Florence, with the attempt carried out by Piero de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent to revitalize a mosaic technique of Ancient Rome called "opus sectile". Such was the success, that the workshops multiplied throughout Europe, among which the Factory of Gobelins in France, the Royal Workshop of Naples (which took over from the Medici) and the one established at the Real Sitio de El Buen stand out Withdrawal from Madrid by Carlos III, which had the support of quality local specialists but was closed with Napoleon in 1808 and destroyed in 1812.
The objects made (desks, tables, vases, plates ...) showed at the beginning a great decorative variety, but, from around 1600, a clear protagonism of the naturalistic elements over the geometric ones was noticed: flowers, fruits, birds, pearls, butterflies ... This example is the heir of this tradition, as shown by comparing it with works such as the Madrid Prado table made by Francesco Ghinghi at the Real Laboratorio Delle Piedre Dure in Naples (catalog number O00511), or the board of the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century created in Rome (inventory 62.259) of the Metropolitan Museum in New York, or those preserved in the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum in Florence or the examples of the National Museum of Decorative Arts in Madrid. However, it is necessary to emphasize the update towards more contemporary tastes that can be appreciated in the geometric game made with the white and blue bands."

· Size: 150x90 cms.
DECORATION

Ref.: ZAAWRT35...

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