The technique of the hardstone mosaic was developed in 16th-century Florence. During the 17th century the technique was used in the production of some of the most magnificent luxury objects in Italy. In the 18th century, panels of landscapes, birds and flowers were incorporated into furniture and snuffboxes. This later gave way to the production of pictures in extraordinary convincing imitation of oil paintings. This volume examines the collection in detail, through essays discussing the development of mosaics in semi-precious stones, and in individual entries covering works from Florence and elsewhere in Europe. Notable examples include an inlaid hardstone casket from the court workshop of Rudolph II, and an English cabinet made for Hamilton Palace, incorporating hardstones from the Gobelins workshop of Louis XIV, and jewel-encrusted hardstone snuffboxes from the court workshop of Frederick the Great.