A LARGE LATE 18TH / EARLY 19TH CENTURY ITALIAN FLEUR DE PECHER MARBLE TAZZA  the spirally fluted bowl centred by a ringed circular boss to the interior and raised on a waisted foot and stepped square base,  52cm diameter, 31.5cm high Fleur de Pecher marble was sourced from a quarry in Serravezza in Italy from the 17th century onwards where it was known as 'Fior di Pesco'. In Italy during the 17th and 18th centuries it was highly prized for its beautiful rich colour and often used in religious architectural schemes and altarpieces. It was also fashionable during the Second Empire and favoured by Napoleon III, for example the marble fireplace in the main hall of Napoleon III's apartments at the Louvre museum is carved from this prized material.