Lot 171: Giovanni Montelatici A Pietra dura plaque of the bath Florence, early 20th century

multicolored marbles inlaid against a black marble background, signed lower right G.Montelatici .

measurements the plaque height 10 1/2 in.; width 14 1/2 in. alternate measurements 26.6 cm; 36.8 cm

Giovanni Montelatici (d. 1930) is best known for his remarkable skill in rendering life-like religious, domestic, and rural scenes in pietra dura . After exhibiting with fellow Italian artist Calileo Chini at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris in which they won a gold medal for an inlaid table depicting the Annunciation, they returned to Florence and established a workshop on the Via Arnolfo. Once joined by his sons Alfonso and Mario in the early 20 th century, Montelatici?s business benefitted from international buyers and a growing taste for pietra dura scenes.