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Commesso di Pietre Dure

Commonly called intarsia or mosaic; it is in fact neither.

Originating in Florence, Italy in the late 16th century, skilled intarsiatores used semi-precious stones to create beautiful, intricate works of art.

A good definition can be found at Encyclopedia Britannica.

Here is the only site that is dedicated to the art of Commesso.

American Masters of Stone

Below you will find American commesso artists works as they were featured in different publications at the time. In most cases they are referred to as Intarsia; but that is incorrect. Careful study of the process, materials and the end result clearly prove that these are indeed commesso.

	Glenn Buchanan - Gem & Minerals - February 1970
	Olive M. Colhour - Lapidary Journal - June 1963 Mrs. Olive M. Colhour was the first member in the lapidary division, and only one of 28 artists to be inducted into the National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame.
	Paul Zammit - Lapidary Journal - March 1972