This is a truly exquisite pietra dura plaque, signed by Giovanni Montelatici and made in Florence in 1908, with a later frame.

Perhaps most striking from the outset is the subject. Whilst many Florentine plaques of the late 19th century were inspired by Italian genre paintings of the period, this is noticeably different. The lady is possibly an actress or singer, and it may even have been a commission of a lady portrayed in the fashion of a painter such as Cesare Tallone. 

In any event, the imagery is strong, striking, and remarkably finely worked. Note the delicacy of the lazy dog sitting loyally at his mistress’s feet, and the fine work in the petals of the flowers. Truly superb.