Gemstone Art Appraisal

Framed Lapis Lazuli and Mixed Stone World Map Art

This item is a framed decorative art piece depicting a world map, crafted from what appears to be various types of natural stone, with a prominent use of deep blue lapis lazuli for the oceans. The map itself features landmasses composed of different colored stones, possibly including marble, jasper, or other mineral aggregates, cut and inlaid to represent the continents. The craftsmanship involves a mosaic or marquetry technique, where individual stone pieces are fitted together to form the image. A grid of longitude and latitude lines is visible over the blue 'ocean' areas, likely etched or inlaid with a thin metallic or lighter-colored material, adding a cartographic detail. The entire stone inlay is housed within a substantial, ornate silver-colored frame. The frame has a classic, decorative profile with raised scrollwork or floral motifs along its inner and outer edges, suggesting a traditional or possibly neoclassical style. The finish of the frame appears metallic, possibly a painted or plated wood or resin, with some reflective quality. The visible condition suggests the item is generally well-preserved, though a red tag is attached to the upper right corner of the frame, possibly indicating a price or an auction lot number. The artwork likely dates from the mid-to-late 20th century, a period when such stone map art was popular, often produced in Italian or Asian workshops. The quality of the stone cutting and inlay work appears to be relatively high, with intricate details for the coastlines and grid. There are no obvious signs of significant damage or repairs from the provided image, though without closer inspection, minor wear or lifting of stone segments cannot be entirely ruled out.