Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 956

Corsi 956, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 956  
Name and quarry location: Pietra paesina, from Tuscany, Italy  
Geological description: Micritic limestone with scattered tiny bioclasts, coarser-grained intraclasts, and stylolites. It is heavily fractured, the microfracture-constrained iron-staining giving a 'paesina' effect. Abundant dentritic manganese oxides are concentrated in, or emanate from some intraclasts, stylolites and veins. It is almost certainly from the Cretaceous to Eocene Alberese Formation.  
Comments: This example of Alberese limestone combines the appearance of pietra paesina with well-developed dendrites adding 'trees' to the 'landscape'. It could come from various places in Tuscany, including Valdarno.  
References: Marko (2003); McBride (2003); Price (2007) 101-103  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 6. Argillaceous stones; ii. Dendritic clays  
Corsi's text: 130.12 /S20.1 Paesina di Toscana  

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