The beautiful inlay work is known as pietra dura. The craftsman cuts out the semi-precious stones using a hand saw and files them on a stone wheel worked by a pull string. Then the craftsman  arranges the cut pieces on the marble slab, traces round the design and  gouges out the stone using a hand tool. Finally the cut stones are stuck in place and the surface polished off. We saw this technique demonstrated later in the day by direct descendants of the original crafsmen.

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