Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 623

Corsi 623, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 623  
Name and quarry location: Pietra del Vesuvio, from Mt. Vesuvius, Naples, Campania, Italy  
Geological description: Brecciated meta-calcilutite with veins of colourless calcite containing metallic yellow pyrite. It retains signs of soft sediment deformation in darker clasts. Some of the brown may be limonitic but most is filler/polishing compound.  
Comments: Similar samples in the Museum’s historic Daubeny collection are labelled 'marble … ejected mass [from] Fossa Grande', a deep ravine on the flanks of Vesuvius. Small slabs of the various stones from Vesuvius were sold to 'grand tourists'. For example, when Jane and Mary Parminter returned to England in the 18th century, they had their souvenirs inlaid in a table-top, now to be seen at A La Ronde, a National Trust property in Devon, England.  
References: Other examples: Daubeny coll. 5435, 5436 and 5437, Oxford University Museum of Natural History.  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 8. Volcanic stones; i. Stones from Vesuvius  
Corsi's text: 153.3 Pietra del Vesuvio. Altro [Lava]  

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