This beautiful catalogue provides a comprehensive history of pietre dure, a virtuoso form of hardstone carving that reached an artistic peak in Italy in the 16th century and subsequently spread throughout Europe. The demanding practice of pietre dure, first used in ancient times, enjoyed a spectacular revival in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. By artistic cutting, semiprecious stones--agate, lapis lazuli, chalcedony, and other colorful hardstones--were fashioned into extravagantly designed luxury objects such as ...
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This beautiful catalogue provides a comprehensive history of pietre dure, a virtuoso form of hardstone carving that reached an artistic peak in Italy in the 16th century and subsequently spread throughout Europe. The demanding practice of pietre dure, first used in ancient times, enjoyed a spectacular revival in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. By artistic cutting, semiprecious stones--agate, lapis lazuli, chalcedony, and other colorful hardstones--were fashioned into extravagantly designed luxury objects such as table tops, wall panels, cabinets, and ornate display vessels. Both as objects of desire and as diplomatic gifts, these precious creations captivated the affluent societies of Europe. Art of the Royal Court presents 150 masterpieces of pietre dure, many of which are further embellished with gold and silver mounts or decorated with exotic woods and other coveted materials. Published in association with The Metropolitan Museum of Art Exhibition Schedule: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (July 1 - September 21, 2008)
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Seller's Description:
Fine in very good(-) jacket. Illustrated with color images throughout. 412 pages. 4to, brown cloth, d.w.; rear panel of dust wrapper heavily scuffed and scratched. New Haven: Yale University Press, (2008). A fine copy in a very good(-) wrapper.
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Seller's Description:
Near Fine. removed from publisher's wrap to inspect. dustjacket has wear to lower edges & corners; closed tear to spine gutter. Bronze cloth boards with gilt lettering on spine. Color illustrated DJ with green spine, white lettering. xvi; 412 pp, profuse color and BW illustrations. Exhibition catalog; from the publisher--This beautiful catalogue provides a comprehensive history of pietre dure, a virtuoso form of hardstone carving that reached an artistic peak in Italy in the 16th century and subsequently spread throughout Europe. The demanding practice of pietre dure, first used in ancient times, enjoyed a spectacular revival in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. By artistic cutting, semiprecious stones-agate, lapis lazuli, chalcedony, and other colorful hardstones-were fashioned into extravagantly designed luxury objects such as table tops, wall panels, cabinets, and ornate display vessels. Both as objects of desire and as diplomatic gifts, these precious creations captivated the affluent societies of Europe. Art of the Royal Court presents 150 masterpieces of pietre dure, many of which are further embellished with gold and silver mounts or decorated with exotic woods and other coveted materials.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Very Good dust jacket. 0300136722. Stiff unmarked book in clean brown cloth; in glossy dust jacket with 1" tear to rear corner and other touches of edgewear.; 9.25 X 1.25 X 12.25 inches; 428 pages.