Pietra dura is an decorative Italian art in which highly precise semi-precious stones are fitted in a slab of stone to create a picture. The stones are assembled so well into the slab that the gap between the slab and the fitted stones is practically invisible.
We at Fusione Gliterati replicate as close as possible to the timeless classics of Italian artists who started this art in the early 1600’s in Italy. It first appeared in Rome in the 16th century, reaching its full maturity in Florence. Pietra dura items are generally crafted on green, white or black marble base stones. In earlier times this art was limited to just palaces or to big mansions. Now with the change of time it can be seen in different places outside the palaces and mansions.
This art was brought to India sometime in 17th Century when the Taj Mahal was being built. Even very expensive precious stones were used and very fine work as another dimensioin of Pietra dura was borne with the fusion of Indian and Moughal art – which is now popularly know as Parchin kari, literally ‘inlay’ or ‘driven-in’ work.
Fusione Gliterati – Tables and Pedestals that we make are used by architects all over the world to decorate houses, hotels, corporate buildings, etc. The marble or stone slabs are polished and then engraved with specific designs and these deep engravings are fitted with wafers sliced out from the blocks of semi-precious stones of different colours, cut in specific shapes and design with almost joint-less. Each stone is cut hand by hand to give it, it’s beautiful highly polished finish, then fitted in the slab one by one with specific glues. It takes several men months to create just one table. This work is not only limited to table but can be done on walls decorations or hangings, floors, door frames, stairs, tiles, Jewellery Boxes, Picture Frames, Mirror Frames etc. just to mention a few. We also infuse this art with wood work to create exquisite tables, chairs and other articles relating to Napoleon time French Furniture.
We do not only replicate the masterpieces but we also create new designs as well – could be using different patterns of masterpieces or as per the drawings and aspirations of architects, designers or customers.