Livella
A level used to establish precise horizontal alignment and to position sculpture accurately in relation to its site.
Italian Terms
Carotatrice
A hollow-core drilling tool or machine used to cut large circular holes in stone, leaving a removable cylindrical core.
Cuneo
A wedge of hard wood or metal used to split stone by concentrating force along a prepared cut or fracture line.
Cuneo alettato
A steel plug-and-feather splitting system consisting of a tapered wedge inserted between two semicircular feathers placed in a drilled hole.
Ferrotondo
A round-headed carving chisel with a flat cutting edge and rounded end, especially useful for curved forms and as an intermediate tool on softer stones.
Filo a piombo
A plumb line used to establish true verticals and to position sculpture accurately in relation to surrounding space.
Mazzetta
A compact block-like hammer of hardened steel used to drive point chisels, scapezzatori, wedges, and related heavy stone-carving tools.
Pantografo a palpatore
A mechanically guided reproducing machine that follows a full-scale model with a sensing point while a corresponding cutter removes marble.
Punta widia
A spiral drill bit tipped with tungsten-carbide hard metal, selected according to the type of stone being drilled.
Raschietto
A scraper used by drawing a thin flat or finely toothed edge back and forth across stone rather than striking it with a hammer.