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Commesso

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(Redirected from Florentine mosaic)

Commesso, also referred to as Florentine mosaic, is a method of piecing together cut sections of luminous, narrow gemstones to form works of art.[1] Precise patterns are cut into a slab of (generally black) marble. Gems are then cautiously cut and meticulously inlaid into these patterns. The work is then polished section by section, as it cannot be polished as a whole due to gems having different hardnesses.[2] The practice, which began in Florence, Italy, dates back to at least the 14th century and gained prominence just before the 17th century.[1] Some of its uses include making pictures and decorating furniture and architecture.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Encyclopædia Britannica (1998). Art – "Commesso". Encyclopaedia Britannica, inc. Accessed March 03, 2017.
  2. ^ Tomlinson, Charles, ed. (1862). "Mosaic". Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts: Mechanical and Chemical, Manufactures, Mining and Engineering. Vol. 2, Hammer to Zirconium. London and New York: J. S. Virtue. pp. 304–305; Florentine mosaic.