ITALIAN, SECOND HALF 17TH CENTURY

The first pieces of oriental alabaster were brought from Arabia to Rome during antiquity. The passion of the Romans for polychrome marbles made them particularly appreciate varied alabaster, and alabastro fiorito was named after its similarity in appearance to a flower. Although Baroque in design, the current urns take inspiration from the forms of antiquity, particularly in the shape of the finial. For example see the antique alabastro fiorito urn in the Villa Borghese, Rome (Del Bufalo, loc. cit..)