19th Century Antique Diptych Photo Frame with Pietra Dura Top
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Antique diptych photo frame, ormolu foliate mount with pietra dura top, 19th century, 17 cm high
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- Pietra Dura / Florentine Mosaic - Pietre dura, also known in English as "Florentine mosaic" is a decorative art that originated in Renaissance Italy and involves the creation of intricate, multi-layered inlaid designs using a variety of different coloured stones. The name "pietre dura" is Italian for "hard stones," and refers to the use of hard, durable materials such as marble, agate, jasper, and other semiprecious stones in the creation of the designs.
The origin of pietre dura can be traced back to ancient Rome, where the technique was used to create intricate inlaid designs for mosaic floors, walls, and other architectural elements. During the Renaissance, the technique was revitalized in Italy and became particularly associated with the city of Florence. The court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I de' Medici, was a major patron of pietre dura and employed many of the leading artists and craftsmen of the time to create a wide range of objects, from small items like jewelry boxes and vases to large panels and furniture.
In the 19th century, pietre dura was used to create a wide range of decorative objects, from furniture and decorative panels to small items like jewelry boxes, vases, and picture frames. During this time, the technique was particularly popular in Europe, where it was used to create elaborate pieces of furniture and other decorative objects for the wealthy and aristocratic classes.
In addition to traditional pietre dura objects like cabinets, tables, and vases, the 19th century saw the development of new forms of pietre dura, such as book covers, cigar boxes, and other small items. This was largely due to the advent of new, more affordable production techniques and materials, which allowed for the creation of pietre dura objects on a larger scale and at a lower cost. - Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
- Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.