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Pietre Dure Casket
Pietre Dure Casket
Pietre Dure Casket
Pietre Dure Casket
Pietre Dure Casket
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Pietre Dure Casket

  • This rare and extraordinary pietre dure casket exemplifies the very best of the best
  • Utilizing a 17th-century Florentine pietre dure plaque, this casket is truly a one of a kind
  • The plaque is joined by hand-engraved doré bronze mounts on the ebonized casket form
  • A perfectly matched, custom-made base accompanies the exceptional piece
  • Get complete item description here
$248,500
Item No. 31-0162

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Description
This extraordinary pietre dure casket exemplifies the very best of the best in both 17th-century and 19th-century workmanship. A 17th-century Florentine pietre dure plaque, which was almost certainly fashioned at the Grand Ducal workshops of Florence, is mounted into the exceptional 19th-century ebonized casket. Intricate, hand-engraved doré bronze mounts and hardstone columns add further Neoclassical luxury to the design. Such an exceptional piece would have only been created for the most discriminating and affluent client.. . .
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This extraordinary pietre dure casket exemplifies the very best of the best in both 17th-century and 19th-century workmanship. A 17th-century Florentine pietre dure plaque, which was almost certainly fashioned at the Grand Ducal workshops of Florence, is mounted into the exceptional 19th-century ebonized casket. Intricate, hand-engraved doré bronze mounts and hardstone columns add further Neoclassical luxury to the design. Such an exceptional piece would have only been created for the most discriminating and affluent client. Most likely used as a wedding casket, it would have housed precious items given to commemorate the nuptials of someone of great importance.

Without question, the materials used in this casket were among the greatest that money could buy, and the absolute highest level of artistry went into its creation. The stones used came from every corner of the globe, and the impeccably lacquered wood indicates the time and care that went into its production. Stunning doré bronze mounts complement the unique stonework. All hardware, from the hinges to the lock, is gold-plated and expertly engraved by hand. The half mortise lock itself is a rare double strike lock, which required a much higher level of skill to manufacture.

The Medici passion for pietre dure led Grand Duke Ferdinando I de Medici to establish the Grand Ducal Workshop in 1588. The workshop became highly specialized in the ancient stonework technique, overcoming the many challenges of fashioning and assembling hardstones. Florentine production reached its zenith during this period, with expert craftsmen giving rise to the most luxurious and detailed examples to ever be produced. Thanks to the mastery of the Florentine craftsmen and the Medici influence, pietre dure peaked the interests of the powerful. Rulers such as the Hapsburgs in Prague, Louis XIV of France and Frederick II of Prussia sought these prized 17th-century works of art for their own collections. Pietre dure came to decorate everything from cabinets and caskets to frames and tiny boxes, often matched with ebony and gilded bronze. Wealthy aristocrats making their Grand Tour through Italy also acquired a taste for Florentine pietre dure; the result was incredible creations such as this impeccable casket.

A very similar Grand Ducal pietre dure casket and stand was once in the British King’s royal bed chamber in Windsor Castle— it is now a prized item in the Royal Collection Trust.

Circa 1840

Casket: 24 1/2" wide x 20 1/2" deep x 15" high
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Pietre Dure Casket
Period: 19th Century
Origin: Italy
Type: Caskets/Cellarettes
Depth: 20.5 in. (52.07 cm)
Width: 24.5 in. (62.23 cm)
Height: 15.0 in. (38.1 cm)
Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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The M.S. Rau Difference

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For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Stunning creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as vivid yellow, pink and blue diamonds, coveted Burma and Kashmir sapphires and elusive Golconda diamonds prized for their fire and perfection. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.

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Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the. . .

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

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