Marble intarsia ( '' opere di commessi '' ) , called '' pietre dura '' in English for the semi-precious hardstones combined with colored marbles that are employed , is an intarsia of coloured stones inlaid in white or black marble . Early examples in Florence date from the mid fifteenth century and reached a peak of refinement and complexity in revetments of the Medici Chapel , produced under Medici patronage in the '' Opificio delle Pietre Dure '' , which was established by Ferdinando I de ’ Medici . Later complex designs and refinement of the art developed in Naples circa the beginning of the 17th century . The floor of St. Peter 's Basilica in Rome is a particularly notable example of marble intarsia . Later this form of decoration became a feature of baroque interior design , particularly so in the Sicilian Baroque designs following the earthquake of 1693
earthquake of 1693
1693 Sicily earthquake
Intarsia