Edition #6: Pietra Dura
Effortless art crafted with... tons of effort, actually.
Also known as parchin kari (or parchinkari), pietra dura/dure translates to “hard rocks” in Italian. This style of art requires the maker to cut pieces of stone into varying shapes, fitting them together to form a larger picture. While similar in style to micromosaic, it’s not quite the same. Micromosaic is more like pointillism (tiny dots!), where as pietra dura is closer to a jigsaw puzzle or tessellation — shout out to elementary school teachers everywhere. Some of the more intricate pietra dura pieces were inspired by the specimens seen on The Grand Tour, aka rich men avoiding their emotions by spending many months together in close contact and ending up in Italy.
Pietra dura Stone Painting Rooster Hen Cock Chicken on Etsy: I just had to start with the chickens. I’d swap out the frame for something in a warmer tone but I truly think this is the perfect piece of art for an update NY kitchen. I’ve named them Henry and Bertha.
Vintage Pietra Dura Hard Stone Leather Wood Playing Cards Poker Box Marble Inlay Card Box on Etsy: Inlay boxes are usually pretty janky but this one is perfect for leaving out on the coffee table. It’s makes for a great stash box or jewelry box as well.
Antique Italian Pietra Dura Mosaic Framed Artwork of Florence Landscape with Stand on Etsy: While researching, I came across a lot of these smaller landscape pieces. Most, if not all, depicted the Italian countryside with its rolling hills and sprawling vineyards.
Vintage G.Ugolini Pietra Dura Plaque: Still Life with Apricots on eBay: Still life subjects were also pretty popular with pietra dura artists. This one by G. Ugolini (a relatively prolific pietra dura artist) has just the right amount of Tuscan influence to fit anywhere.
Antique Victorian Pietra Dura Low Gold Cufflinks on Etsy: On a smaller scale, these cufflinks make such a great small gift for a partner (or boss that you really like).
Victorian Buttlerfly Pietra Dura 14k Charm Pendant on Etsy: Another on the smaller side, this charm fits perfectly with anyones necklace stack. It was converted into a charm from a stick pin, making it much more wearable now.
Antique 18K Yellow Gold Pietra Dura Flower Inlay Ring Vintage on Etsy: Now this is how you do pietra dura jewelry. The deep blue of the lapis lazuli background and the bright gold just really take this into heirloom territory.
Antique Pietra Dura Fly Earrings of 14k Gold on Etsy: Something you will quickly learn from this newsletter is that I really love bugs. These fly earrings are a little weird, a lot fancy, and would definitely get someone to ask about them.
Wild Flowers Parchin Kari 3' x 4" Inlay Tile Vintage Agra Cantt Home Decor Souvenir Pietra Dura Art on Etsy: Not quite as vintage as the others, this plaque showcases more of the Indian style of stone inlay. Prop this on a bookshelf next to a fat stack of books and call it a day.
Framed Italian Pietra Dura stone mosaic panel of a bird with flowers; 11 1/2 H x 19 5/8 W inches on Etsy: This was one of the bigger pieces I found, measuring almost 20” across. I love the colors in this one, with the bright blue shock against the warmer tones of the branch.
Honorable Mentions
What terms were searched
Pietra dura
Pietra dure
Stone inlay art
Stone mosaic art
Welcome to Finder’s Keepers
This is the newsletter dedicated to leaving no vintage stone unturned. Each edition will cater to a rabbit hole that I fell down one night and include an assortment of vintage finds that make you question “Why did anyone own this?” followed quickly by “Should I own this?”
My method is simple: I attach a keyword or phrase to the item and go digging, spending hours each week combing through hundreds of pages of Etsy and Ebay bric-a-brac until I’ve seen it all. It’s chaotic but satisfactory, like looking through every rack and bin at a thrift store for those that partake in the more visceral act of going in person. I like to sit on my couch.