Lot Essay
The name of Giovanni Rossignani appears at the head of the description in the catalogue of items sent by the Pontificial Government to the Paris Exhibition. He is recorded as one of the maestri in the Reverenda Fabbrica di San Pietro.
A similar table top of circa 1824, signed by Francesco Sibilion was sold in these Rooms, 11 June 1987, lot 123.
The glass fragments used in such tables come from mosaic glass vessels, mostly bowls, dating from the late 1st century B.C. to the early 1st century A.D. These include fragments of millefiori, ribbon glass, reticelli and glass imitating marbles such as giallo antico and verde antico. These fragments were excavated in the nineteenth century and heated in order to level and smooth them. Dealers in Antiquities often polished them and mounted them in cardboard strips with gilded edges.
A similar table top of circa 1824, signed by Francesco Sibilion was sold in these Rooms, 11 June 1987, lot 123.
The glass fragments used in such tables come from mosaic glass vessels, mostly bowls, dating from the late 1st century B.C. to the early 1st century A.D. These include fragments of millefiori, ribbon glass, reticelli and glass imitating marbles such as giallo antico and verde antico. These fragments were excavated in the nineteenth century and heated in order to level and smooth them. Dealers in Antiquities often polished them and mounted them in cardboard strips with gilded edges.