stone inlays (pietra dura)

Quoted text begins.RE: "Can anyone please give me any information concerning stone or marble
inlays? I was mostly interested in how shapes are cut so that they fit
next to one another and also what is traditionally used to fasten the
pieces in place. "
End of quote.

Anthony;
In Florence there is a recently renovated museum that houses an excellent
collection of traditional inlay work in pietra dura. It is called "LI
MUSEO DELL'OPIFICIO A FIRENZE" and is next door to a working restoration
studio. Colleagues in the jewelry department of our Studies Abroad
program had prearranged visits to the restoration studio for their
classes, but when I was there the museum was open but the studio was
closed.

In addition to the collection of antique examples on the main floor, the
second floor houses displays of the traditional antique tools used to do
the work and display cases showing all the different types of stone used
by the Italian craftsmen in centuries past (out in the courtyard of the
building is a collection of raw material gleaned from historical
salvaging of ancient buildings that is used by the restoration studio
next door).

Unfortunately for those of us who are illiterate in Italian the labels in
the museum are are not in English -- but the displays are set up so they
become fairly self-explanatory with a little effort. They have
step-by-step examples of how a piece is assembled. I spent an hour or so
sketching the antique tools, Italian names for the tools, and my
observations as to how they were used in my sketchbook. Either they
didn't allow photography inside or I didn't have my camera with me . . .
I can't remember.

I was at the museum in the summer of 1998, and at that time I purchased a
soft-bound catalog (in Italian) sold in the gift shop that was published
for the newest renovation of the building in 1995. Although it shows
some close-up photos of the examples of pietra dura and a couple of
tools, mostly it is about the building interiors and the displays as a
whole. They also had a large hardbound book containing beautiful photos
of pietra dura, but no photos about techniques or tools, so I didn't buy
it.

The basic traditional process used wire-saws (either in hand-held frames
or treadle-powered) fed with abrasive slurry, and using plenty of
patience. Additional shaping was done using spindle attachments
(abrasive-fed grinding wheels and cups) on treadle powered lathe-stocks.
The fitting was accomplished with colored rosins and hard waxes, and the
final surface was honed or polished after assembly.

Hope this helps, I may get back there on a trip this coming Fall and if
there is any further information available I will acquire it.

Ciao,

Don