It is a stone called 'Serpentine' and the type is called 'Opal Camouflage' - this I have learned in the past day. Not painted,that is the natural stone.
Gordon, thank you, I am going to discuss this with my DH. And btw the piece is about 4 ft tall, so not as grandiose as you make it sound LOL.
Not sure I want him to go drilling a hole in it, though....
