Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

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view of stone 207

Corsi 207, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 207  
Name and quarry location: Breccia de' Gherardeschi, perhaps from Tuscany, Italy  
Geological description: Limestone. A bio-pel micrite crowded with small intraclasts and shell debris. Anastomosing white material is calcite-replaced scleractinian coral. Note the extensive development of stylolites.  
Comments: It is not clear why Corsi associated the stone with the Gherardesci. They were a prominent family in the Republic of Pisa from the 11th to the 13th centuries, and there is a Gherardesca Chapel in the church of San Francesco in Pisa, where perhaps this stone is used. The quarry location may be in Tuscany, but is not confirmed.  
References:  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 2. Veined marbles; Species 12. Veined marbles of Italy  
Corsi's text: 72.29 Breccia de' Gherardeschi in Toscana  

Full entry in English

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Funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Oxford University Museum of Natural History University of Oxford