The Golden Fire Horse

The Horse is the seventh sign in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, and 2026 marks a particularly energetic and "blazing" version of this sign. 

The year officially begins on February 17, 2026, and ends on February 5, 2027. Here is what this combination represents:

The Element (Fire): Fire represents passion, dynamism, and rapid movement. When combined with the Horse, it creates a year of high intensity. It's a time for bold actions, but it also carries a warning about being overly impulsive or "burning out.

The Personality: People born in a Horse year are generally seen as independent, energetic, and quick-witted. They love freedom and travel. In a Fire year, these traits are amplified—think of a stallion running at full speed.

The Global Vibe: 2026 is predicted to be a year of fast-paced change. Expect shifts in social trends, breakthroughs in technology, and a general sense of restlessness. It is a "work hard, play hard" year.

In traditional Chinese culture, the Fire Horse (Bing Wu) occurs once every 60 years. Historically, it was viewed with a bit of caution because the energy is so volatile and unpredictable. However, in a modern context, it is interpreted as a year of great charisma and leadership.

The horse has always accompanied man's life: it is the mount of divine messengers, spiritual warriors and knights. 

The Belgian Black background creates a sense of depth and infinity, where the golden horse stands out. This pitch-black material, extremely rare in the stone world, is mined 70 meters deep to find the most compact layers, free of inclusions, as inclusions often alter the intensity of the black, turning it more brown.

Monterufoli magnesite has a very unique formation, often combined with chalcedony, creating color variations ranging from yellow to black, through white, brown, and blue tones. It is found in a protected area of ​​Tuscany and is therefore difficult to find today. This unique stone has been used in Florentine mosaic since the 1600s for rose petals and other flowers, taking advantage of the delicate, luminous hues so common in this rock. This distinctiveness is reflected in the execution of the muscles, the elegance of the movement, and the strength of the legs.

Already since Ancient Rome the horse was the emblem of the continuity of life, therefore a prophetic value was attributed to it, in the practice of hippomancy, the messages were provided through the interpretation of the food, the movement of the ears and the tail.

Horses in general indicate blessing, victory, overcoming difficulties and bring goodness to the dreamer and his family. It is an animal of power that invites us to free ourselves from all the fears and constraints that darken our existence and to advance with grace and courage.

Stones used: Belgium Black marble and Yellow Masgnesite

Year of composition: 2025

Size: cm 42x47

Artist: Leonardo Scarpelli

An original and authentic hand-made artwork created whith the antique technique of Commesso Fiorentino which is unique for Florence.

Commesso Fiorentino was born with Medici family, one of the most important families in Florence, in the second half of 1500.

The research of the stones is made by the mosaicist that must be able to choose from a rich and wide range of shades and veins: for this reason the artists personally search and collect the stones retracing the paths of the Medici researchers.

The processing starts by drawing the subject on adhesive paper, that is then cut into small tamplates that will be attached to the variegated shades of the stones following the visual instinct, the innate gift of the artist and his perfect knowledge of the materials. The shape of the little piece will be cut by hand with a chestnut, cherry or hazelnut wood bow and an iron wire that flows with abrasive powder and water. It creates a very precise and inclined cut to form the essential spaces to accommodate the glue, made by artisans with beeswax and pine tree resin. The different stones are previously glued onto a slate surface which acts as a support during the cutting and filing phase. The various pieces which form the composition are adjusted in shape with diamond files, glued together so that the joints are invisible, flattened and finally polished in order to create a perfect decorative harmony showing the colors of nature in all their radiance.