A RARE JEWEL

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Rare Pietra Dura And Gilded Bronze Mirror

Italy
Rome, mid-seventeenth century
Literature: Page 105 Repertorio Della Cornice Europea, Robert Lodi & Amadeo Montanari Edizione Galleria Roberto Lodi

Various furnishings were produced in the beginning of the 16th century of pietra dura “commesso” work (the joining together of hard stones). In Rome, the stones were measured on the Moh’s scale devised by Frederick Mohs (1773-1830). The harder the stone the more difficult to cut, and the higher the prestige associated with the work. These pieces proclaimed the owners’ nobility and his collecting acumen. The first artisans using these materials had been trained as jewelers which can be attested to with the extremely fine lapis and jasper sections and the metal filets and gilt bronze mounts on the mirror shown here. The hard stone materials had mostly been abandoned in the late 3rd century A.D. on the banks of the Tiber as imports slowed (due to a shortage of slaves and crises in politics and economics, which caused the work to be prohibitively expensive) – only to be taken up by artisans in the 16th century. 

The Roman elite of the 16th century were very interested in pietra dura work of fine workmanship – much of the materials were from excavated ancient sources. The works were mostly non figural, the technique spread to Florence, after Rome via the Medici’s who were in Rome, Piero (1416-1469) and Cosimo. The commesso technique was first revived in the 16th century due to the reawakened archeological enthusiasm which swept the city. By the second half of the century the Romans had used it for architectural purposes. 

Bindo Altovitto, the Florentine banker and merchant living in Rome was an early enthusiast of pietra dura which then became a favorite of the de’ Medici’s, who founded the Galleria dei Lavori in Florence, taking on this and many other artistic endeavors. The design of this frame became very popular in Rome as well as in Florence.

Price
$46,000

Condition*
Excellent Antique

Measurements
height: 13 1/2
width/length: 11 1/4

Specifications
Number of items: 1
Materials/Techniques: Hard stones, gilded bronze, original mirror glass.
Creator: unknown

Photography
provided by L'Antiquaire & The Connoisseur Inc

Affiliation
The Art and Antique Dealers League of America
Location
L'Antiquaire & The Connoisseur Inc
36 East 73rd Street
New York, NY 10021
USA