Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 24

Corsi 24, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 24  
Name and quarry location: Giallo antico, from Chemtou, Tunisia  
Geological description: Fine-grained limestone, extensively recrystallised through diagenesis but showing relics of a peloidal structure. It has slender ferruginous veins and small black manganese oxide dendrites. The sides of the specimen show that it is brecciated and cemented by a white sparry calcite matrix.  
Comments: All Corsi's samples of giallo antico from Chemtou, Tunisia (0022-0034) are correctly identified, and they show 'quarry variation' particularly well. Giallo antico is regarded as the finest of all the yellow marbles, although the very best Siena marble can be comparable. The matrix in giallo antico is red or brown; that of brecciated varieites of Siena is purple.  
References: Blagrove (1888) 83; Borghini (1997) 214-215; Corsi (1845) 90-91; Lazzarini (2002c) 243-244; Mielsch (1985) 56, taf.15; Price (2007) 90-91; Watson (1916) 271-274  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 1. Monochrome marbles; Species 3. Yellow marbles, i.  
Corsi's text: 29.3 Giallo antico. Marmor Numidicum. Dalla Numidia oggi Coste di Barbaria provincia dell'Africa, e precisamente alle falde del monte Maurisado... Giallo schietto  

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