Pietra dura table top

Italian, Rome

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 620

This magnificent hardstone (pietra dura) tabletop is notable for the geometric design and central alabaster oval flanked by roundels of marble (breccia di Tivoli). These features are typical of Rome in the years around 1600 and distinguish the tabletop from Florentine examples. Four lapis lazuli bolts hold in place the strapwork cartouches that recall forged iron. The severity of the inner decoration seems to translate jewelry designs from contemporary pattern books while the border of wild animals, blossoms emitting seeds like strings of pearls, leafy scrollwork and floral sprays includes motifs derived from ancient Roman mosaics.

Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome
Pietra dura table top, Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement), Italian, Rome

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.