A SET OF FOUR ITALIAN PIETRA DURA CIRCULAR AND OVAL PLAQUES FLORENCE, 18TH CENTURY
Details
Two within circular giltwood frames with foliate borders, the other two within giltwood moulded frames, depicting coastal and river scenes with buildings, bridges and boats, the stones including Arnese and verde antico, in later frames The larger plaques: 61⁄2 in. (16.5 cm.) diameter The larger including frames: 81⁄2 in. (21.5 cm.) diameter The smaller plaques: 31⁄2 in. (9 cm.) high; 41⁄2 in. (11.5 cm.) wide The smaller including frames: 7 in. (17.5 cm.) high; 8 in. (20 cm.) wide
Provenance
Anonymous sale; Christie's, South Kensington, 13 March 2012, lot 327. Anonymous sale; Christie's, Paris, 7 November 2012, lot 335.
Lot Essay
The beautiful background of these plaques is a stone found in the River Arno in Florence called Alberese and part of a group of stones known generally as pietra paesina. Mineral deposits in these stones form enchanting patterns that were used by the Florentine lapidaries as trees or other natural features in pietra dura plaques. Employed much more rarely than the black Belgian marble or paragone di Fiandra background of many Florentine plaques, this background was particularly prized in the 17th century and was used principally for landscape or hunting scenes.
Details
Two within circular giltwood frames with foliate borders, the other two within giltwood moulded frames, depicting coastal and river scenes with buildings, bridges and boats, the stones including Arnese and verde antico, in later frames The larger plaques: 61⁄2 in. (16.5 cm.) diameter The larger including frames: 81⁄2 in. (21.5 cm.) diameter The smaller plaques: 31⁄2 in. (9 cm.) high; 41⁄2 in. (11.5 cm.) wide The smaller including frames: 7 in. (17.5 cm.) high; 8 in. (20 cm.) wide
Provenance
Anonymous sale; Christie's, South Kensington, 13 March 2012, lot 327. Anonymous sale; Christie's, Paris, 7 November 2012, lot 335.
Lot Essay
The beautiful background of these plaques is a stone found in the River Arno in Florence called Alberese and part of a group of stones known generally as pietra paesina. Mineral deposits in these stones form enchanting patterns that were used by the Florentine lapidaries as trees or other natural features in pietra dura plaques. Employed much more rarely than the black Belgian marble or paragone di Fiandra background of many Florentine plaques, this background was particularly prized in the 17th century and was used principally for landscape or hunting scenes.
