Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 348

Corsi 348, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

side view of stone 348

side view of stone 348, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 348  
Name and quarry location: Alabastro di Siena; Siena, Tuscany, Italy, may not be correct.  
Geological description: Very compact banded travertine composed of finely acicular/granular calcite crystals. Yellow areas are artificial filler.  
Comments: A compact banded travertine was worked at Sovicille for ornamental purposes according to Jervis (1889), and it was probably obtained from other locations in the area. However, note that no. 334 (alabastro bigio di Volterra), no. 347 (alabastro di Perugia) and no. 348 (alabastro di Siena) are very similar indeed. Nos. 334 and 337 have the same embedded white fragments, and pink clay coatings round some grains. Nos. 347 and 348 have same yellow filler. They probably all come from the same location.  
References: Jervis (1889) 329-330  
Further information: Alabaster-travertine.pdf
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 4. Concretionary marbles; Species 1. Alabasters; ii. Italian alabasters  
Corsi's text: 100.15 Alabastro di Siena  

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