AN ITALIAN SILVER-GILT MOUNTED HARDSTONE SNUFF-BOX SET WITH A MICROMOSAIC PLAQUE
AN ITALIAN SILVER-GILT MOUNTED HARDSTONE SNUFF-BOX SET WITH A MICROMOSAIC PLAQUE

ROME, CIRCA 1810

Details
AN ITALIAN SILVER-GILT MOUNTED HARDSTONE SNUFF-BOX SET WITH A MICROMOSAIC PLAQUE
ROME, CIRCA 1810
rectangular porphyry box, the cover set with an oval micromosaic plaque depicting a view of the Ponte Lucano at Tivoli
3.3/8 in. (85 mm.) wide

Lot Essay

The graceful seven-arched bridge of Ponte Lucano stretches across the banks of the Anio River. Dating from the first century BC and extending the ancient consular road of Via Tiburtina, the bridge served the road from Tivoli to Rome until the mid-twentieth century and remained in use to cars until just a few years ago. The bridge forms part of an archaeological landscape that includes the remains of the mausoleum of Plautii, built in the first century BC, and a sixteenth century public inn. It also acts as a gateway to the Villa Adriana, now a world heritage site.

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