Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

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view of stone 233

Corsi 233, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 233  
Name and quarry location: Most probably Chiampo, from Vicenza or Venezia, Veneto, Italy  
Geological description: Fossiliferous microsparite limestone with bivalves and abundant large and small benthic foraminifera. It has limestone intraclasts, calcite-filled veins, and stylolites coloured by red filler or polishing compound.  
Comments: This appears to be one of the Eocene limestones rich in foraminifera, obtained in the Chiampo valley and nearby areas. It is still quarried today. Prato is a source of green serpentine, of which there are a number of examples in Corsi's collection. Perhaps this stone was used in the Duomo or other buildings in Prato, but it would not have been quarried there.  
References: Price (2007) 169  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 3. Lumachellas; ii. Italian lumachellas  
Corsi's text: 80.1 Lumachella di Prato  

Full entry in English

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