Pietra Dura Cabinet

ORIGIN
italy

MATERIAL
pietra dura

PERIOD
Late 17 Century

TeCHNIQUES
FABRICATION, STABILIZING, REPLACING MISSING MATERIAS AND STONES

In the restoration of this exquisite cabinet, adorned with panels of Tuscan alberese and intricately inset with semi-precious stones, we confronted the challenges posed by wood shrinkage, particularly affecting the integrity of the stone inlay. The remarkable durability of ebony, akin to that of metal, had contributed to the severity of the issue. Multiple panels, compromised by the wood's contraction, required complete removal from the cabinet doors. Each panel underwent thorough cleaning and meticulous refitting to ensure precise alignment and cohesion. Many of these panels displayed signs of aging, with missing material and infill necessitating careful restoration.

Employing traditional techniques, we reinstated the missing components using bone glue, ensuring a seamless integration with the original design. While stabilizing the cabinet's main structure was imperative, the bulk of our efforts centered on the restoration of the stone inlay itself. This work involved a delicate reshaping of the stone, coupled with correction of minor cracks in the infill. Each piece of stone was painstakingly reattached, leveled, and polished to perfection, culminating in the revival of this cabinet's timeless beauty and historical significance.

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Florentine Renaissance-Style Pietra Dura Table Top