This panel is made from inlaid decorative hardstone known as pietre dure. The technique of creating inlays from coloured stones was inspired by ancient Roman practice and was revived in the Renaissance following the archeological discoveries of ancient marbles. Pietre dure appealed to seventeenth century interest in nature and science combining natural material, craftsmanship and design.

This panel represents a bouquet of flowers and is inlaid with intricate, polished pieces using a variety of marbles. It shows a classically-inspired vase on a black background, suggesting that the vase is sitting in a fictive niche. It contains rare exotic flora: tulips and a central lily, reflecting the Medici interest in nature which began with Cosimo I. The panel creates a sense of ‘real’ space to fool the eye, commonly known as a ‘trompe l’oeil’. Such scenes of bountiful and stylised nature were common at this time, and the trompe l’oeil adds a sense of being amongst nature, as was fashionable in villa adornment, reflecting health concerns and the benefits of taking fresh country air. Images such as these made visual links and continuities between the villa interior and the villa gardens. Medici interest in urban and rural landscaping, including garden design, was evident in the sixteenth century and continued into the seventeenth century, reflecting the importance of a healthy lifestyle amongst the Renaissance elite.

This is one of two panels (Museum no. 810-1869). The frames vary slightly in their details. The corners of both feature Aquitaine marble in angular scrolls; the blue of the orange tree panel contrasts with the green Sicilian jasper and Sienese agate of the flower panel. These alternating and contrasting colours were employed to display the broad range of marbles used. These panels were probably worked on over a number of years by several craftsmen in the Grand-Ducal workshops.