An Italian late 17th century pietra paesina and marble inset walnut, bone, ebony and ebonised cabineton a later English walnut standInset with eight assorted pietra paesina plaques and eight assorted marble plaques, the architectural facade composed of a central arched tablet flanked by Tuscan pilasters surmounted with a triangular pediment, the frieze with four arched chequer-inlaid aedicules, comprising a central door enclosing a theatrical stage interior with a chequered floor and a door to the rear, flanked by six short panelled drawers above one long multiple panelled drawer, on lappet clasped tapering legs, the mounts of a much later date, the cabinet: 96cm wide x 40cm deep x 48cm high; including the stand: 105cm wide x 43cm deep x 126cm high, (41in wide x 16 1/2in deep x 49 1/2in high)Footnotes:A comparable Italian cabinet to the present lot, sold Christie's, London, 17 November 2020, The Collector, lot 573. Another related Italian 17th century pietra paesina inset model sold Sotheby's, Milan, 13 June 2016, A Milanese Cabinet Collection, lot 22.Pietra paesina, which is a rare form of Albarese limestone, has its origins in the Apennine mountains near Florence. It is remarkable for being described as a 'pictorial stone' due to the impressions of landscapes or seascapes seemingly captured within the core of the rock itself. As a result of this impressive quality, paesina has also historically been referred to by a number of names, and these include: 'ruin marble', 'landscape stone', 'ruiniform limestone' and even 'Florentine marble'.The 'landscapes' are only revealed, in cross-section, after this specific type of limestone has been split open. Once chosen, only the finest quality stones are then sliced to make tablets for polishing. The main colouring therein is largely only affected to the peripheries of these cross-section segments, since the most drastic alterations rarely reach the innermost realms of the rock. This means that the expansive appearance of the predominantly bluish-grey colours perfectly conjures up images of skies or large expanses of water.Although this 'ruiniform limestone' has been discovered in various locations outside Italy, it is generally acknowledged that the examples sourced from the Florentine region are the most attractive. These true Apennine samples somehow miraculously convey the typical colours and shapes of Tuscany, with all its beautiful canyons, stormy seas and rivers, picturesque villages, mysterious islands and mountains.During the Mesozoic epoch, sedimentary rock was created by sediments rising to the surface from the sea beds following the collision of the African and European Plates. This in turn led to the formation of a mountain range between Spain and Turkey. The enormous pressure generated by movement of the earth's crust resulted in the splintering of this limestone. Thereafter such fractures were permeated with manganese hydroxide and iron, followed by water. Later on these broken areas were then sealed off due to the depositing of calcite crystals. Although a much debated topic, it is widely held that this event happened approximately 50 million years ago, at some point in the Eocene-Palaeocene era.In the 'modern age' the marvel that is paesina stone was first revealed in the 16th century and from that time onwards it has been greatly sought after, as well as highly prized, by collectors. Across Renaissance Europe this 'landscape stone' was especially revered among members of the various Royal courts. It was inlaid into furniture or inset into some architectural elements of opulent interiors, whilst on occasion some chose to collect and display the stone in the form of individual plaques.Among the wealthy, powerful and often noble families who first favoured this 'ruin marble', arguably the most important early devotees were the Medici, and in particular Ferdinando I de' Medici. Indeed in 1588 Ferdinando established, in Florence, the hugely significant Opificio delle Pietre Dure whose central aims were to uncover more semiprecious stones and make stunning works of art and luxury objects through their ingenious manipulation of them. Paesina was always extremely well regarded among these stones for its combination of rarity and natural pictorial properties.It is in fact probable that this peculiar limestone, with its easily identifiable fundamental characteristics, is even indirectly referenced in Agostino del Riccio's 1597 Istoria dell Pietre which in one passage notes: '... in the Arno river many rocks and stones that today can be sawn and polished revealing many fantasies and jests made by Mother Nature... 'Largely because of the influential nature of the elite Medici family, both the fame and appeal of this 'Florentine marble' spread rapidly throughout Europe, where its uniqueness was treasured by the most fashionable and affluent patrons.However another person who played an active part in disseminating an informed adoration of pietra paesina was Philipp Hainhofer (1578-1647). Although he was officially a diplomat with access to most European noble and Royal courts of his day, notably the German-born Hainhofer was a highly cultured and distinctly cultivated individual who was also an itinerant collector, researcher and lover of art and the arts. Whilst visiting Florence, Hainhofer evidently admired the distinctive stone sufficiently enough to subsequently found a business centred upon it with his brother, who already resided there. They acquired the 'ruiniform marble' both in its rough block guise or already inlaid into furniture, and then they shipped it back to their home city of Augsburg. It is not difficult to appreciate how this enterprise flourished as it did when one understands that among Hainhofer's closest acquaintances were major historical figures such as Henri IV of France, King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden and Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria.Some of the finest examples of antique pietra paesina can be viewed in Florentine museums such as the 'Opificio delle Pietre Dure' and Galleria Palatina, Florence. Some fine work of this kind exists on the walls of the old Pharmacy, in Santa Maria Novella. Also, an exceptional marble table inlaid with paesina, the central section of which is the very rare 'Terra Bruciata of Rimaggio', is housed in the Medicean Quartieri Monumentali of the Palazzo Vecchio. This table was commissioned on behalf of Eleonora of Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I de' Medici, and it was made specifically for the rooms reserved for her. See K. Patowary, 'Pietra Paesina: Stones that Resemble Ruined Landscape', 5 September 2016; M. Riccardo - Cubitt, The Art of the Cabinet, p. 191, fig. 367 & p. 192, fig. 51; 'Paesina Stone of Florence', 2017This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TPTP Lot will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
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