SECOND QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

細節

A fine framed Roman micromosaic on copper, depicting The Doves of Pliny
Second quarter 19th Century
The back with ink inscription JS.10, the square gilt-metal-mounted ebonised frame with paper backing inscribed The Doves/Mosaic on Copper/from Sir John Swinburne's Estate
The micromosaic: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) diameter; The frame: 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm.) square

來源

Probably Sir John Swinburne, 7th Baronet of Capheaton, Northumberland
Acquired by the late father of the present owner, Cape Town, South Africa, circa 1955-60.

拍品專文

The original mosaic panel was discovered in 1737 by Monsignor Furietti on the floor of the Villa of Hadrian (125-133 A.D.), and later purchased by Clement XIII. The scene was described by the natural historian Pliny the Elder in Natural History XXXVII as proof of the perfection to which the art of mosaics had arrived. He says: "At Pergamos is a wonderful specimen of a dove drinking, and darkening the water with the shadow of her head; on the lip of the vessel are other doves pluming themselves in the sun".

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the much celebrated Capitoline Doves of Pliny was perhaps the most popular mosaic preserved from antiquity and as such, the most frequently repeated by mosaicists. The scene was replicated many times by the makers of shell cameos and glass micromosaics for jewellery, box lids and plaques of all sizes. The work is preserved today in the Museo Capitolino in Rome.