Rarely seen outside royal collections and historic houses, European hardstone carving using stones such as amethyst, jasper and lapis lazuli, is a rich and intricate artform. Stunning decorative and vivid pictorial illusions are achieved through the careful selection and carving of stones chosen for their naturally occurring colours, patterns and reflective properties. Detailed photography uncovers which features of these fascinating inlay pictures, small-scale carvings, lush decorative panels in furniture, and more, were created by the artist and which by nature, in a production process that involves creative imagination as well as spectacular technical skill.