Italian Pietra Dura Mounted Brass and Alabaster Comport Dish, 19th Century

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...

This is a beautiful antique Italian circular marble top occasional table decorated with ormolu mounts, early 20th century in date. It is masterfully crafted in walnut and raised ...

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19th Century French silver-gilt set of 6 comports. Made in the Louis XVI style, of very heavy gauge, each piece resting on four leaf capped feet, bowls decorated with pilasters and laurel garlands. The glass glass bowls are all hand etched with floral decorations. Hallmarked French Silver Minerva...

Antique Danish brass nutcracker.

A very fine and rare 19th century flame mahogany cellerette with liner. The moulded, hand carved body of octagonal form with double brass banding detail, flanked with ring carrying handles to the sides, raised over reeded apron...

Creamware knife rests, Italian, Circa 1810-1820    The two rests are of similar form with a raised scroll terminal to each end. One with pierced stylized f...