A Grand Tour Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century

The square paperweight with specimen marbles inset in yellow marble ground.

The center made up of blue marble veneers, yellow marble and green marble with each section banded by Carrara marble.

The paperweight inset with a plaster cast of the Coliseum, outlined in 'marmo nero' and marmo giallo.

The round paperweight framed in black marble, with porphyry and sienna marble and other marble specimens. The center in sienna marble with carved bea...

This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date. This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlai...

This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date. This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlaid with a sumptuous arrangement of semi-precious stones including malachite, agate, onyx and amethyst. It is beautifully inlaid on a slate base. Not only is this desk paperweight very functional, but it is also an exquisite mineralogical wonder that can be admired by all discerning collectors. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation, Dimensions in cm: Height 2 x Width 17 x Depth 10 Dimensions in inches: Height 1 inch x width 7 inches x depth 4 inches. Pietra dura is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished coloured stones to create images. It is considered a decorative art. Pietre dure is an Italian plural meaning "hard rocks" or hardstones; the singular pietra dura is also encountered in Italian. In Italian, but not in English, the term embraces all gem engraving and hardstone carving, which is the artistic carving of three-dimensional objects in semi-precious stone, normally from a single piece, for example in Chinese jade. The traditional convention in English has been to use the singular pietra dura just to denote multi-colored inlay work. However, in recent years there has been a trend to use pietre dure as a term for the same thing, but not for all of the techniques it covers, in Italian. But the title of a 2008 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure from the Palaces of Europe used the full Italian sense of the term, probably because they thought that it had greater brand recognition. The material on the website speaks of objects such as a vase in lapis lazuli as being examples of "hardstone carving (pietre dure)" The Victoria & Albert Museum in London uses both versions on its website, but uses pietra dura. "A method of inlaying coloured marbles or semi-precious stones into a stone base, often in geometric or flower patterns...." Giovanni Montelatici...

A beautiful Italian marble decorative object or paperweight with egg-shape design, circa mid-20th century, Italy. A great decorative object or desk accessory. Dimensions: 2.69" x 4.32 x 2.5" height. Other items shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #s: Mirror, ref. #: LU1314223803002 Italian picture frame, search ref. #: LU1314223647982 Red coral letter opener, search ref. #: LU1314223676062 (SOLD) Mother of...

Swedish paperweight in the marble in the shape of a cannon barrel. Beautiful patina. Empire, early 19th century. Minor chips (se pictures) Wear con...