These two rectangular plaques, crafted using hardstone marquetry — including lapis lazuli, agate, and jasper — alongside polychrome marble inlays, depict a bucolic scene animated by birds in a natural setting.
Each panel portrays a bird of the same species, reminiscent of the blue jay, perched gracefully on a cherry tree branch bearing both leaves and fruit. In one of the panels, a delicately rendered butterfly in flight enriches the composition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The refinement of the execution lies in the particularly sophisticated selection of stones in varied hues, allowing for a virtuoso rendering of volume, shadow, and texture. Variations of red suggest different stages of cherry ripeness, while the vibrant flashes of lapis lazuli evoke the iridescence of the bird’s plumage.