Florentine Mosaic

Florentine mosaic is an exquisite technique of inlaying colored stones that originated in Italy in the 16th century. It is also called pietra dura (from Italian "hard stone"). Unlike ordinary smalt mosaics, where pieces are set in mortar, here the elements are fitted with jewel-like precision, like a puzzle. Stones were selected for color, luster, and veins, creating the illusion of a pictorial image. Masters used lapis lazuli, malachite, jasper, onyx, agate — a whole palette of minerals.

The main center of this art was Florence, where the best "stone artists" worked at the Medici court. They created panels, furniture inlays, altars, and even caskets. Works in pietra dura were notable for their durability — the pattern did not fade for centuries. A fun fact: it is known that creating a single floral panel could take up to three years, as each petal was cut by hand.