Mosaic made of colored stone has been known since time immemorial. In particular, the Florentine mosaic or its second name “Pietra Dura” (Italian “carved stone”) originated in the 16th century in Italy in Florence.

The Italian Medici dynasty patronized various types of art, including the art of mosaics. In 1588, Ferdinando I di Medici opened his workshop “Gallery dei Lavori”, where craftsmen from Italy and other countries made stone-cutting products from semi-precious stones: marble, lapis lazuli, jasper, agate, etc. Masters made skillful wall panels, countertops, chessboards, boxes. This art was very popular in Europe for 300 years, and the great Michelangelo called the mosaic “the eternal picture.”

They make up a mosaic of large pieces of colored stone, cut along the contour of the image. Stone plates fit perfectly to each other. the master uses not only the color of the stone, but also plays with its natural texture. Thin plates of stone with a polished surface are assembled into a picturesque carpet so that the natural pattern of the stone surface, natural color variations and lines of texture harmoniously complement the pattern of the mosaic.

Stone elements can be of any shape, but they are assembled together so tightly that neither seams nor joint lines are almost visible. Choosing stones for mosaics is not an easy task. In addition to the color of the stone, it is necessary to know its properties well – hardness, brilliance, cleavage. Layers, veins, various inclusions and impurities give different shades to the same type of stone and can even change its color.

The palettes of Florentine mosaics are the more diverse, the more different stones and rocks are used to compose the picture. Special processing of stone, selection of colors and careful adjustment of elements require a lot of time and effort.

In the technique of “Florentine mosaic” they create “picturesque” paintings, ornamental inserts in interior items, countertops, furniture, inserts for jewelry.

In Russia, you can see a fine example of Italian art of the late 19th century – the Table with a mosaic top “Apollo and the Muses”. It is located in the Pavilion Hall of the Hermitage, next to the equally famous Peacock Clock.