ROME, CIRCA 1820

Details

AN ITALIAN MICROMOSAIC PLAQUE
ROME, CIRCA 1820
octagonal plaque set with an oval micromosaic depicting a view of the Roman Forum with the Temple of Vespasian and Titus in the foreground and the Column of Phocas beyond, within malachite-veneered border, in fitted brown leather case
1 in. (40 mm.) wide (2)

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The Emperor Vespasian died in July 79 AD and his dying words were supposedly, 'Pity. I think I am turning into a god'. He was succeeded by his son Titus who began the process of deification of his father and the construction of a temple in his honour. Titus himself died in 81 AD and the temple was completed by his younger brother Domitian sometime before 85 AD. The column of Phocas was the last addition to the Forum, erected in honour of the Byzantine Emperor Phocas in 608 AD. For another view of the Roman Forum, see lot 120.

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