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

Circular marble and hard stone tabletop. "Flower". Inspired by Italian models from the 16th-17th 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 with the paler colors of the surroundings, made from vegetal elements and branches with fruits on which there are several birds perched while some butterflies are silhouetted against the black background. To make the board, a technique similar to wood inlay has been used using marble and different hard stones such as 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 Roman mosaic technique (opus sectile) made with colored stones with the relevant variations in theme and technique. After 1600 the primacy of the decoration of naturalistic motifs over the rest of the themes that appeared in the 15th century is clear. In the 17th century, France was the first court to show a clear interest in the hard stone technique by establishing local production centers (Gobelin Factory) and, while, in Italy, the Royal Workshop of Naples took over from the Florentine one. then disappeared. In Spain, Charles III established another one in the Royal Palace of Buen Retiro in Madrid, which was closed at the beginning of the 19th century. As time went by, and based on the prominence of plant motifs, the models changed to adapt to the tastes of the time. They were always works carried out for the high aristocracy and the courts due to 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 in Florence, the panel by Francesco Ghinghi (O00511) or the one made in Naples (O00466) in the Prado Museum in Madrid.

· Size: Diam. 120 cms.