The museum attached to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure—today a world-renowned center for art restoration—is a direct descendant of the court manufactory officially founded in 1588 by Ferdinando I de’ Medici, where the art of hardstone work was practiced.
The character of the museum, established in 1882, does not reflect a deliberate collecting intent but rather mirrors the history and development of centuries of production activity. The most prestigious creations, often given as gifts by the Florentine grand dukes, are now preserved in royal residences and museums throughout Europe. Meanwhile, in the museum’s own workshops remain unfinished works, pieces altered or dismantled over time, and what survived the dispersals of the nineteenth century. The collection, which includes pieces of remarkable beauty and refinement, nonetheless provides a clear overview of the manufactory’s history over three centuries. It also preserves an important stock of ancient marbles and hardstones.
The museum was redesigned in 1995 by Adolfo Natalini. The reorganization of the collection, curated by Anna Maria Giusti, follows a thematic approach: the rooms derived from the main hall display works from the Medici and Lorraine grand-ducal periods, while the smaller nineteenth-century rooms present those from the post-unification era. The mezzanine level is dedicated to the techniques of hardstone craftsmanship—from the extensive stone samples to workbenches, tools, and educational displays illustrating various stages of inlay and carving. This layout allows visitors to retrace the entire process—from conception to the finished piece—and to discover the inner workings of one of the most fascinating chapters in Florence’s artistic history.