TWO ITALIAN PIETRA DURA AND PIETRA PAESINA OVAL PLAQUES

Pietra paesina is mined from the Arno area of Italy. Its literal translation, "landscape stone" alludes to its unusually coloured and figured graining. These patterns were created when stone fractured due to the earth's movement and water passed through and reacted to the oxides in its chemical make-up. The marble produced as a result can be cut in such a way to exploit these patterns. Small plaques were popular for the decoration of cabinets and tables, as well as 'pictures' in their own right.