Venetian plaster is a wall and ceiling finish consisting of plaster mixed with marble dust, applied with a spatula or trowel in thin, multiple layers, which are then burnished to create a smooth surface with the illusion of depth and texture. Venetian plaster techniques include marmorino, scagliola, and sgraffito.
Take a look at these pictures of a Venetian plaster job we did in the SoMa district, San Francisco. (Click on an image for full size)
Venetian Plaster in SoMa, San Francisco, CA