Table Top known as "Tavolino di Gioie"

ca. 1568-1577
Bernardino di Porfirio da Leccio (sculptor)
Giorgio Vasari (designer)

The Medici family, the reigning dynasty of Florence, used its vast trading network to amass a collection of precious and semi-precious stones. This passion led them to commission outstanding works rich in symbolism, such as this table top made for Francesco de Medici. It was already praised by his visitors during the Renaissance.