In good condition for its age, this box remains a stunning example of Italian craftsmanship. Please note that many of the inlaid coral beads are missing, which only adds to the unique character and history of the piece.
Whether you're a collector of antique and vintage treasures, a lover of exotic décor, or simply appreciate beautiful objects, this Italian Pietra Dura box is sure to become a cherished addition to your collection.
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Pietra dura (Italian: [ˈpjɛːtra ˈduːra]) or pietre dure ([ˈpjɛːtre ˈduːre]) (see below), called parchin kari or parchinkari (Persian: پرچین کاری) in the Indian Subcontinent, is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images. It is considered a decorative art. The stonework, after the work is assembled loosely, is glued stone-by-stone to a substrate after having previously been "sliced and cut in different shape sections; and then assembled together so precisely that the contact between each section was practically invisible". Stability was achieved by grooving the undersides of the stones so that they interlocked, rather like a jigsaw puzzle, with everything held tautly in place by an encircling 'frame'. Many different colored stones, particularly marbles, were used, along with semiprecious, and even precious stones. It first appeared in Rome in the 16th century, reaching its full maturity in Florence. Pietra dura items are generally crafted on green, white or black marble base stones. Typically, the resulting panel is completely flat, but some examples where the image is in low relief were made, taking the work more into the area of hardstone carving.