Agate Paperweights

A substantial polished natural agate/geode/onyx decorative object in shades of grey and white. Piece can be used as a decorative piece for a shelf, table, desk, etc., or as a display...

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...

Vintage French bulldog on agate base. Carved crystal carnelian red French bulldog mounted on antique agate and marble base. Italy, circa 1940 Dimensions: 5....

A fine mineral specimen paperweight or curio. In the form of a small polished agate egg on a geometric banded agate base. Perfect for the desk or Grand Tour Wunderkammer! Date: 20...

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...

This is a stunning decorative antique Italian Grand Tour Vatican Micro-Mosaic inset black marble desk weight, in the form of a miniature table, circa 1870 ...

Unmarked, probably Austrian, this charming carved green agate octagonal vide poche with green/black patinated bronze handle is done in the manner of Hagenauer - a superbly detailed a...

A true signature piece for the desk or bookshelf: this paperweight stands out for its stage presence and fine craftsmanship. The base in polished nickel-plated brass supports a na...

This elegant paperweight is part of the Fossiline collection, a line of decorative objects that enhance the beauty of natural stones. The square polished nickel-plated brass base acc...

A small object of great charm: this contemporary design paperweight combines the luster of nickel-plated brass with the raw, authentic beauty of a natural agate geode. The bluish hu...