Italian Fossil Marble (Lumachella) Specimen Stone Box, Circa 1960s

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Italian Fossil Marble (Lumachella) Specimen Stone Box, Circa 1960s
Two pieces, Lid and and Base

This sculptural Italian specimen marble … Read more Italian Fossil Marble (Lumachella) Specimen Stone Box, Circa 1960s
Two pieces, Lid and and Base

This sculptural Italian specimen marble box dates to the circa 1960s and is crafted from a richly figured fossiliferous limestone, commonly referred to in the decorative arts as lumachella marble. Prized since antiquity, lumachella is distinguished by its visible shell and fossil inclusions suspended within a dark brown, charcoal, and gray mineral ground, giving the surface remarkable depth and organic complexity.

The box is cut from solid stone and finished with a precisely fitted lift-off lid, emphasizing clean architectural lines and the inherent beauty of the material. Polished surfaces reveal intricate fossil fragments, brecciated textures, and subtle veining, ensuring that each face presents a unique natural composition. The interior is fully hollowed and finished in the same stone, underscoring the weight, craftsmanship, and authenticity of the piece.

Objects of this type were produced in Italy during the mid-20th century as refined desk accessories and decorative objects, reflecting a postwar design sensibility that celebrated classical materials interpreted through modern restraint. Both functional and sculptural, this box is ideal for use as a jewelry casket, desk box, or display object in a library, office, or cabinet of curiosities.

Dimensions:
Overall: 5" W x 4" D x 2" H
Interior: 4.5" W x 3.5" D x 0.75" H See less