Mosaico in Piccolo

An extremely fine micromosaic set to a 14 carat gold brooch, circa 1840. Microscopic scale mosaics originated in Rome in the late 18th century. The minute pieces of glass or tesserae used to create them were almost invisible to the naked eye. Most popular of all subjects in micromosaic were the Italian monuments. This mosaic is an aerial view of St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, with the outstretched arms of the elliptical colonnades designed by Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, which were referred to as the embracing arms of Saint Peter. The central Egyptian obelisk was originally in the Circus of Nero and the fountains were designed by Bernini and Maderno. The scene is at dusk, with the colour of the sky changing from blue to pink. The brooch measures 2 and 1/3 inches by 1 and 3/4 inches. It is in its original case [a bit tired], the lid inscribed Roma. For similar see Catalogue entries 69 and 92 in The Gilbert Collection of Micromosaics. The mosaic work is of the finest quality and immaculate.

£3500