Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 230

Corsi 230, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 230  
Name and quarry location: Lumachella nera, locality unknown  
Geological description: Fossiliferous biosparite limestone with articulate brachiopods (pentamerids?, some wholly or partially spar-infilled), solitary corals, and crinoid debris. It is of Upper Palaeozoic age.  
Comments: This black limestone, with its delicate thin-shelled brachiopods, was probably not used in ancient times, and the location of the quarry is not known. Raniero Gnoli suggested it was first used in the 17th century, and it was employed sparingly in furniture and stone collections sold to the 'grand tourists visiting Rome in the 18th and 19th centuries.  
References: Borghini (1997) 241; Corsi (1825) 79; Corsi (1845) 121; Gnoli (1988) 214; Mielsch (1985) 44; Price (2007) 154  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 3. Lumachellas; i. Ancient lumachellas  
Corsi's text: 79.16 Lumachella antica. Marmor Conchyte. Lumachella nera ...provenissero dall'Asia, o dall'Africa.... i scarpellini Romani ne assegnano capricciosamente le cave ora all' Arabia, ora all' Egitto, ed ora alla Tebaide  

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