During the late war with France, the exportation of statuary marble from the countries under the dominion of Buonaparte was prohibited; and, at one time, it became so scarce in England as to be sold at the rate of more than seven guineas per cubic foot. The block of marble for the statue of his late Majesty in the great Council Chamber at Guildhall, London, was stated by the public prints to have cost twelve hundred guineas.
147. Luni Marble is a snow-white, compact, and finely granular variety, which was obtained by the ancients from quarries on the coast of Tuscany. It was preferred by the Grecian sculptors, both to the Parian and Pentelic marbles; and it is usually supposed that the Belvidere Apollo, as well as the Antinous of the Capitol, was wrought out of this marble. There is now found at Luni a white marble, variegated with red spots and dots.
148. Green antique Marble, or Verde antique of the Italians, is a mixture of white marble and green serpentine ([132]). This is believed to have been obtained from some part of Italy, but the quarries are not now known.
149. Sienna Marble is of close texture, and yellowish colour, disposed in large irregular spots, surrounded with veins of bluish red, passing sometimes into purple. It is not uncommon in the vicinity of Sienna, and is in great request, throughout Europe, for chimney-pieces and ornamental furniture.
150. Brocatello Marble is somewhat like the last; but is also irregularly marked with various shades of red, and, in some parts, with white.
151. Mandelato Marble is of light red colour, with yellowish white spots. It is found at Lugezzana, in the Veronese. Another variety, bearing the same name, occurs at Preosa.
152. Verde di Prato Marble is a green marble, marked with darker green spots, which is found near the town of Prato in Tuscany.
153. Lago Maggiore Marble is a beautiful kind, white, with black spots and dots. It has been employed for decorating the interior of many churches in the Milanese.
154. Bretonico Marble.—This beautiful marble, which is found near the village of Bretonico, in the Veronese, is varied with yellow, grey, and rose colour.
FRENCH MARBLES.—155. Many valuable kinds of marble are obtained from different parts of the French territory.