Marble, porphyry, granite, alberese stone, limestone, flowered, cotognino and Egyptian alabaster, lapis lazuli, rock crystal, jasper, agate… each precious stone has an exotic name and a special color, hue, and consistency. Their inorganic material comes to life in splendid works of art, thanks to talented hands like those that reached the height of creativity at the Florentine school of gemstone engraving.

Their extraordinary treasure of cups, vases, reliefs, cameos, furniture and paintings has been gathered at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum in Florence: wonderful pieces created in the Medicis’ artistic gemstone factory, officially founded by Ferdinando I de’ Medici in 1588. The factory was known for its excellent work, which was appreciated at royal courts across Europe.