Overview

The technique of the hardstone mosaic was developed in 16th-century Florence. During the 17th century the technique was used in the production of some of the most magnificent luxury objects in Italy. In the 18th century, panels of landscapes, birds and flowers were incorporated into furniture and snuffboxes. This later gave way to the production of pictures in extraordinary convincing imitation of oil paintings. This volume examines the collection in detail, through essays discussing the development of mosaics in semi-precious stones, and in individual entries covering works from Florence and elsewhere in Europe. Notable examples include an inlaid hardstone casket from the court workshop of Rudolph II, and an English cabinet made for Hamilton Palace, incorporating hardstones from the Gobelins workshop of Louis XIV, and jewel-encrusted hardstone snuffboxes from the court workshop of Frederick the Great.

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Anna Maria Massinelli specialises in sculpture and the decorative arts. She has contributed to a number of exhibition cstslogues, international conventions and specialist magazines. She has written several books including Treasures of the Medici, published by Vendome Press in 1992. Between 1993 and 1996 she was Assistant Curator for the Department of Decorative Arts of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She is currently Professor of History of Art at the Academy of Fine Art in Palermo.

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