Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Pietra dura table top

late 16th or early 17th century
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pietra dura table top
  • Date: late 16th or early 17th century
  • Culture: Italian, Rome
  • Medium: Hardstones, alabaster, and marble (pietra dura); marble frame and walnut stand (replacement)
  • Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 94 1/8 × 45 1/8 × 4 in., 1926 lb. (239.1 × 114.6 × 10.2 cm, 873.6279 kg);
    Overall (confirmed, ht. and wt. of table assembled on non-original base): 35 3/4 × 94 1/8 × 45 1/8 in., 1926 lb. (90.8 × 239.1 × 114.6 cm, 873.6279 kg)
  • Classification: Natural Substances
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Trecker, 1962
  • Object Number: 62.259
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
The Farnese Table, Jacopo [Giacomo] Barozzi da Vignola Italian, Marble of different colors, semiprecious stones, Egyptian alabaster, residue of paint of different colors on the piers, Italian, Rome
The Farnese Table
Designer Designed by Jacopo [Giacomo] Barozzi da Vignola
Marble piers carved by Guglielmo della Porta
Pietre Dure top attributed to Giovanni Mynardo (Jean Ménard)
ca. 1565–73
Two Armorial Trophies marked by the incorporation of a Broken Amphora on the Left, Plate 2 from the Libro de' Trofei, Anonymous, Italian , 16th century Italian, Engraving, Italian, Rome
Two Armorial Trophies marked by the incorporation of a Broken Amphora on the Left, Plate 2 from the Libro de' Trofei
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1550–53
The Musicians, Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi) Italian, Oil on canvas
The Musicians
Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi)
1597
The Conversion of Saint Paul, Mario Cartaro Italian, Engraving
The Conversion of Saint Paul
Mario Cartaro
1567
Card table, Carved walnut frame; pine top with marquetry of walnut, figured walnut, boxwood, alder burl, birch, olive wood, plum, padauk wood, yew, green-stained poplar, and other marquetry woods; lined with modern velvet; iron fittings, German, Bamberg
Card table
German, Bamberg
ca. 1745–50

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.