Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

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view of stone 335

Corsi 335, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 335  
Name and quarry location: Alabastro di Sestri, from Sestri Ponente, Genoa, Liguria, Italy  
Geological description: Iron-stained impure tufa with coatings of banded compact travertine composed of very fine fibrous crystals of calcite.  
Comments: Substantial quantities of pale brown alabaster were obtained from Sestri Ponente in the 17th and 18th centuries for the decoration of chapels and churches in Genoa, according to Santamaria (2008). It was quarried at Panigaro, at the foot of Monte Gazzo, probably into the 19th century. This source was mentioned by Scamozzi in 1838.  
References: Santamaria (2008), Scamozzi (1838) 199  
Further information: Alabaster-travertine.pdf
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 4. Concretionary marbles; Species 1. Alabasters; ii. Italian alabasters  
Corsi's text: 98.2 Alabastro di Sestri  

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