The octagonal segment of paving reconstructed here was laid in the early 1730s to decorate the centre of the floor of the Baptistery, an area ringed in medieval times by a marble balustrade around the original baptismal font. In 1577 a project by Bernardo Buontalenti saw the demolition of both the font and the balustrade in order to erect a magnificent structure for the baptism of Grand Duke Francesco de’ Medici’s son. The floor of the former font area was only re-laid with new paving in the 18th century, when Girolamo Ticciati erected the new main altar and was removed in 1913 together with those late Baroque furniture. The geometric design with its different colored marbles echoes the magnificent floor of the Cathedral, laid from the Cinquecento onwards, providing visual continuity as liturgical processions made their way from the Baptistery to the Cathedral.