pietra duran.
/ˌpjɛtrə ˈduːrə/, U.S. /ˌpieɪtrə ˈd(j)ʊrə/ Any of various hard semi-precious stones used in making Florentine mosaics; mosaic work made with such stones, used esp. for decorative table tops and small wall panels.Stones of the requisite hardness for such work generally fall between 6 and 10 on Mohs' scale of hardness, i.e. between orthoclase and diamond (lapis lazuli being a notable exception). Quartz, chalcedony, agate, and porphyry are among those stones most commonly used, together providing a wide range of colours.
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society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > mosaic > [noun]
mosaicc1540
mosaical work1604
mosaic work1606
musive1622
pietra commessac1660
pietra dura1730
tessellation1813
Cosmati1927
1730 E. Wright Some Observ. France, Italy, &c. I. 47 Ascent to them is by Steps, made of what they call the Pietra dura, a sort of white Marble.
1805 P. Beckford Familiar Lett. Italy I. xv. 148 The best part of the furniture is the inlaid tables in Pietra Dura, a work of great labour and great expence.
1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain II. viii. 580 Observe the Florentine pulpit of Pietre dure.
1883 C. C. Perkins Hist. Handbk. Ital. Sculpt. 47 Mosaics, ‘pietre dure’, gilded glass and enamels.
1901 ‘L. Malet’ Hist. Richard Calmady iii. v. 199 Certain treasures..locked in the glass tables and fine Florentine and piétra dura cabinets of the Long Gallery.
1961 Connoisseur Dec. p. xxxiii Louis XVI cabinets..inset with panels of pietre dure in the form of flat mosaics of different birds.
1996 Daily Tel. 8 July 18/4 (advt.) Pietra dura figure which fetched £463,500.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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