Pietre Dure Plaque

Meticulously rendered in polished hardstones and marbles, this plaque captures an old peasant woman presenting a gift of two chickens to her priest. The scene is emblematic of the charming genre scenes favored by Italian pietre dure artisans. 

The art of pietre dure developed from the ancient art of opus sectile, where materials were cut and inlaid into walls and floors to form a decorative pattern. The meticulous technique requires that fine marbles and stones be carefully and artfully inlaid into a stone base. The method was both expensive and time-consuming, requiring not only precious materials but also highly skilled craftsmen. As a result, true marble and stone pietre dure works such as this are very rare and highly collectible.

Late 19th century

Plaque: 9 5/8" high x 12" wide
Frame: 10 3/4" high x 13 1/8" wide