An abrasive stone or abrasive medium available in different grades and used to smooth and refine sculpture surfaces during levigatura.
Smeriglio is an abrasive used for smoothing sculpture. A contemporary Versilia marble-industry publication describes it as an abrasive stone available in different grits for levigare le sculture—smoothing sculptures.
The term also belongs to the broader family of Italian words connected with grinding and abrasion, including smerigliatrice.
Etymology
Italian smeriglio, associated with emery and abrasive grinding.
Sculptor Notes
Smeriglio belongs to the transition from cutting to surface refinement. As with abrasive paper, the sculptor should work progressively and completely remove the previous scratch pattern before advancing to a finer grade.
References
https://cosmave.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/VP131_Ottobre_2022.pdf; https://levocidelmarmo.sns.it/lista_times.php