Lot 41
41
An Italian micromosaic inlaid black marble plaque, depicting 'Pliny's Doves', second half 19th century
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
An Italian micromosaic inlaid black marble plaque, depicting 'Pliny's Doves', second half 19th century

Details
An Italian micromosaic inlaid black marble plaque, depicting 'Pliny's Doves', second half 19th century
After the Antique, of square form, canted angles and cavetto edge -- 7¼in. (18.5cm.) high
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 Roman mosaic panel was found in the ruins of Hadrian's villa, at Tivoli in 1737 and now displayed in the Capitoline Museum, Rome. Described by natural historian, Pliny the Elder, in "Natural History XXXVII", "a marvellous dove drinking and casting the shadow of its head on the water. Other doves are pluming their feathers in the sun on the lip of the goblet". The serene scene has be replicated many times by the makers of shell cameos and glass micromosaics for jewellery, box lids and plaques.

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