Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

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view of stone 622

Corsi 622, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 622  
Name and quarry location: Pietra del Vesuvio, from Mt. Vesuvius, Naples, Campania, Italy  
Geological description: Brecciated meta-calcilutite with a few spherical two-phase calcite-filled cavities, and with limonitised siliceous veining. Note brown crystals of ?siderite filling cavities on underside of specimen.  
Comments: Like nos. 623 to 630, this may well be another 'marble … ejected mass' from the '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.  
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Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 8. Volcanic stones; i. Stones from Vesuvius  
Corsi's text: 153.2 Pietra del Vesuvio. Altro [Lava]  

Full entry in English

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