Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum
The museum illustrating the history of artistic production, annexed to the prestigious restoration center
The Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence was established by uniting two highly regarded institutions in the field of art conservation: the ancient and renowned Opificio and the Gabinetto Restauri (Restoration Council) of the Soprintendenza delle Belle Arti (Superintendence of Fine Arts) of Florence.
The Opificio was founded in 1588 by Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici as a court manufactory specializing in working semi-precious stones and the creation of artistic objects, intended to adorn grand ducal residences or be given as gifts. The institution continued to operate under the Lorraines. Among the most significant works that remain as evidence of this activity is the decoration of the Cappella dei Principi (Chapel of the Princes), inside the Medici Chapels in San Lorenzo.
The Gabinetto Restauri, founded by Ugo Procacci in 1932, can be considered as the first modern restoration laboratory in Italy.
In 1975, the two entities united into a single institute: the Opificio delle Pietre Dure e Laboratori di Restauro, one of the world’s most important restoration centers and an international training center.
Housed within is the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum.
On display are some splendid examples of semiprecious stone works, with a vast repertoire of adornments. Tabletops, plaques and furniture decorated in Commesso style, with the stones cut and arranged to form pictorial compositions of flowers, fruits, animals and landscapes with their natural colors.
The museum houses a complete sample of semi-precious stones dating back to the Medici period, copies of paintings made using the inlay technique and the ancient tools employed for inlaying by Florentine artisans. One room displays vases and other objects from the early 20ᵗʰ century, decorated in Art Nouveau style.
Overall, a tour of the museum allows visitors to trace all stages of production—from conception to finished work—of some of the techniques of the Florentine artistic tradition.
For information on accessibility: feelflorence.it
