17th Century ‘Florence Fragment’ Vase with Calcite Crystals in Matrix

This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved from the historic flooding of the Arno River in 1966.

The calcite crystal cluster with sphalerite is from Elmwood Mine in Tennessee. It is an example of the world’s finest crystallized calcite. With the unusual formation of sphalerite, it is unequaled by those from any other part of the world (featured in American Mineral Treasures, pg. 337). These minerals are formed from the chemical precipitation of calcium carbonate and zinc. The minerals are essentially deposited on the walls, floors, and ceiling of the geological caverns of the zinc mine. It is known for producing some of the most superb various examples of calcite, fluorite, and sphalerite with exceptionally large and sharp calcite clusters. The piece has been mounted with the rare specimen and is adorned with smaller calcite crystals and sphalerite on other aspects of the piece.

The piece has been naturally distressed from the flood. It has been preserved and transformed by Jean O’Reilly Barlow, the creative director of Interi. The date of manufacture reflects when she created the piece and the period shows that the Italian fragment is originally 17th century.

The story and history of this piece and Interi’s collection of Florence fragments, in particular, are very interesting. These fragments have been used for artists and designers alike to copy for the distressed aesthetic, but here is an original. While many fragments are distressed due to age, these Florence fragments in particular stand apart. They symbolize a history that has been carried through the streets of Italy, to an Italian palazzo where they were collected, to the Interi studio, to now the modern home or gallery.