CIRCA 1815, POSSIBLY ITALIAN, UNMARKED

Details

A vari-coloured gold and micromosaic vinaigrette
circa 1815, possibly Italian, unmarked
Oblong, the cover set with an Italian oval micromosaic depicting a Roman temple on an island in a lake, in shades of grey, green and pale blue, with a red stone border and reeded gold surround, the border chased with a garland of vari-coloured gold chased roses, marguerites and leaves, the base and sides chased and engraved with panels of flowers and foliate scrolls, the grille bright-cut with flowers and foliage with a stiff-leaf border
1 5/8 in. (41 mm.) long

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The design of the micromosaic may have been inspired by Domenico Pronti's Nuova Raccolta di 100 vedutine antiche della citta di Roma e sue vicinanze, late 18th century; see D. Petochi, I Mosaici Minuti Romani, Rome, 1981, fig. 89 and J. Hanisee Gabriel, The Gilbert Collection. Micromosaics, London, 2000, p. 2236.

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