Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 407

Corsi 407, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 407  
Name and quarry location: Griotte, from the Haute Pyrénées, France  
Geological description: Lower Devonian red nodular limestone, clay-rich matrix, with extensive solution seams and stylolites  
Comments: This is a typical griotte marble, the nodular structure and red colour suggesting the morello cherry. It is one of the Devonian marbles quarried in the Campan valley, Pont de la Taulé, and other locations in the French Pyrenees from the 1st century AD through to medieval times. Quarrying in the Campan valley, recommenced in the 17th century and the various stones were extensively used in the Palace of Versailles. Griotte and other varieties continued to be extracted, sometimes sporadically, until the end of the 20th century.  
References: Antonelli (1999); Corsi (1845) 147-148; Dubarry de Lassale (2000) 94-95, 112-113; Merrill (1903) 332; Perrier (1996); Price (2007) 124; Rogers (2008) 54-55; Watson (1916) 97-98, 136, 223-224  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 5. Breccias; i. Antique Breccias  
Corsi's text: 113.19 Breccia pavonazza  

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