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ID #SA808630
FOR SALE
£320
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Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight 19th C
For sale by Regent Antiques
for sale €374     $406
£320
Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2016
Browse dealers 657 items
  • About Us
    We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.
  • Trade Associations
    Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA808630
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Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight 19th C

19th century
For Sale by Regent Antiques
Description

This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date.

This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlaid with a sumptuous arrangement of semi-precious stones including malachite, agate, onyx and amethyst.

It is beautifully inlaid on a slate base.

Not only is this desk paperweight very functional, but it is also an exquisite mineralogical wonder that can be admired by all discerning collectors.

Condition:

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Width 16 x Depth 10

Dimensions in inches:

Width 6 inches x Depth 4 inches

Our reference: A1996b

Physical Dimensions
Width
16cm (6.30")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA808630
Dealers Internal Reference
A1996b
Description
This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date.
“
This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlaid with a sumptuous arrangement of semi-precious stones including malachite, agate, onyx and amethyst.
Regent Antiques
fig 1. A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border.
fig 1. Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight 19th C

It is beautifully inlaid on a slate base.

Not only is this desk paperweight very functional, but it is also an exquisite mineralogical wonder that can be admired by all discerning collectors.

Condition:

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Width 16 x Depth 10

Dimensions in inches:

Width 6 inches x Depth 4 inches

Our reference: A1996b

Width
16cm (6.30")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Date of Manufacture

Regent Antiques has dated this Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA808630
Dealers Internal Ref
A1996b
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2016

We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Regent Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

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A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border.
1 / 7
Archive I A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border.

Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight 19th C

Archive II A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border. View II
Archive III A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border. View III
Archive IV A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border. View IV
Archive V A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border. View V
Archive VI A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques
Telephone 020 8809 9605 or 020 8802 3900
Location
Manor Warehouse
318 Green Lanes
London
N4 1BX
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
Items For Sale 657
Items Sold 2,691
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: Manor Warehouse, 318 Green Lanes, London, N4 1BX, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified
Sep 2016
For Sale
657
Sold
2,691
A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border.
Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight 19th C
Ref: SA808630
A rectangular 19th-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight featuring an inlay of varied colourful marble and mineral tesserae framed by a dark grey slate border.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
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Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPaperweights
  • Period19th century
  • StyleGrand Tour
  • MaterialMarble, Malachite, Agate, Jasper
  • ColourMulticoloured
  • MotifsGeometric mosaic inlay, Specimen marble samples, Dark marble border, Bevelled edge
  • SizeW 16 cm (6 in) x D 10 cm (4 in)

This nineteenth-century Grand Tour pietra dura specimen paperweight takes the form of a rectangular desk accessory crafted from slate, malachite, agate, onyx and amethyst. The design displays a geometric mosaic inlay composed of various multi-coloured specimen marble and mineral tesserae set within a dark grey slate border featuring a bevelled edge. Individual sections exhibit distinct natural markings, brown, red, green, yellow and cream tones, and polished surfaces. It measures 16 cm wide by 10 cm deep. Placed upon a study surface, office desk or library table, the item functions as a decorative paperweight while providing a tactile display of geological specimens. The piece suits historical interiors, traditional studies and gentleman's library workspaces as a functional desktop item.

FAQs

Originating primarily in Florence and Rome during the 18th and 19th centuries, these items were collected by wealthy travellers on the Grand Tour as educational souvenirs showcasing geological diversity and artisanal skill.

Pietra dura involves cutting and fitting polished semi-precious stones, lapis lazuli, malachite, jaspers, and decorative marbles into a solid marble or slate matrix.

Authentic period pieces feature hand-cut tesserae with tight hairline joints, natural historical wear on the underside, and characteristic materials such as Belgian black marble framing the mosaic.

Place the object atop a stack of design books on a coffee table, position it on an executive office desk, or display it within a curated shelving system alongside vintage brass objects.

Dust regularly with a dry microfibre cloth and clean carefully using a slightly damp cloth with neutral soap, avoiding acidic cleaners that can etch natural marble.
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