Natural Landscape Stone or Pietra Paesina. Northern Italy, Contemporary.

Pietra paesinas are “wonders of nature” and have been admired and collected for centuries by Aristotle, Pliny the Elder and the Medici family. This limestone rock began 140 million years ago and developed through the infiltration of calcite, iron and manganese oxides. When viewed today, these naturally occurring minerals reveal realistic vistas of deserted landscapes, turbulent skies and ancient Roman ruins. Located in only one area of the world, these rare stones continue to be privately quarried in the Tuscany region of Italy.