The impressive result of lot 341 in the Roseberys Fine & Decorative sale on 21 February 2023 far exceeded pre-sale expectations.  Consigned by a private London vendor with no provenance, it was originally thought to be a 19th century pietre dure plaque.  Subsequent research revealed it to be mid-18th century in date and made in the Florentine Grand Ducal Workshops after a design by Giuseppe Zocchi.  The plaque is an extremely fine example of the art of pietre dure during this period, with rare stones and workmanship of the highest order.  

There was significant pre-sale international interest on the lot with twelve telephone lines booked, alongside on-line bidding and room participation.  Bidding lasted nearly 11 minutes, with two telephone bidders battling it out before selling to the European trade.

It once formed part of the celebrated commission for Francis Stephen of Hapsburg-Lorraine1708-1765, Grand Duke of Tuscany and husband of Empress Maria Theresia of Austria.  Giuseppe Zocchi was hired in 1750 by Louis Siriès, Director of the Florentine Grand-Ducal workshops, to produce designs for some of the most celebrated pietre dure panels ever produced by the Opificio.  Between 1750-60 twenty-nine designs by Zocchi were produced for Francis Stephen and sent to Vienna where they remain to this day as part of the reception rooms of the President of the Republic of Austria.  At present, it remains unknown if this plaque was part of the commission sent to Vienna and subsequently left the Imperial Austrian collection or if it was never sent in the first place.