Table top with pietra dura inlay work of stone

Pietra dura is the art of depicting motifs and ornamentation with artfully cut pieces of hard stone types such as agate, jasper and lapis lazuli, also mother-of-pearl and coral. Mastery in this art form came to its peak above all in Florence.

The various colours and grain of the polished, fastidiously set shaped stones are used here for a naturalistic depiction of colourful floral bouquets, fruits and birds.