17th century Italian fragment foot with calcite crystal in matrix and fossil shells.
This fragment was originally part of a church candlestick in Florence. It was found and saved from the historic flooding of the Arno River in 1966. The piece has been naturally distressed from the flood.
The calcite crystal cluster in matrix comes from the Elmwood Mine in Tennessee. It is an example of the world's finest crystallized calcite (referenced from the "American Mineral Treasure" book, pg. 337).
The story and history of this piece and Interi's collection of Florence fragments, in particular, are very interesting. 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.
Height: 6.5" high x 5.5" deep x 3.25" wide
