Italian Pietre Dure Plaque by C.B. Gnudetti

An old man playfully pesters his wife while she attempts to mend a garment in this meticulously detailed pietre dure plaque. The genre subject is typical of the hardstone plaques that were popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly those produced by the Grand-Ducal workshops in Florence. The flawless workmanship is also reminiscent of the Florentine masters; by the late 16th century, Florence had emerged as the epicenter of the art of pietre dure, and its workshops quickly became famous for producing some of the most beautiful hardstone objects of the 16th through 20th centuries.

Due to the intricacy and time-consuming nature of the craft, pietre dure artisans had a very niche and high-wealth clientele. Few could afford such precious pictures crafted in stone, so pietre dure artists created pieces such as this on a commission basis for only the most important clients. The most desirable works from this period display remarkable realism and intricacy in their execution, with a preference for genre scenes such as this.

Signed “C.B. Gnudetti”

Late 19th century

Plaque: 8" high x 10" wide
Frame: 10 3/8" high x 12 3/'8" wide