Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

Antique Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Jewelry Box by Cesare Roccheggiani, Rome c. 1875

$8,152.49
£5,950
€6,940.35
CA$11,166.88
A$12,420
CHF 6,485.34
MX$151,138.22
NOK 82,827.68
SEK 77,677.75
DKK 51,798.53
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

A highly attractive and rare floral Grand Tour micromosaic jewelry or trinket box made by Cesare Roccheggiani in Rome, Italy, c. 1875. This is a beautifully detailed micro-mosaic box. The panel in the lid depicts a lush bouquet of spring flowers, including roses, forget-me-nots, daffodils, buttercups and crocus, amongst others. These are described in brightly coloured stone micromosaic inlaid into a black surround, lending the piece wonderful contrast. The more common subjects for similar micro mosaic boxes are architectural views of Rome; floral examples such as this are much harder to find. The panel is mounted in a box gilded in 24 carat gold. Another distinctive feature is the granulated finish around the lid and to the underside of the box: it is most unusual and lends the piece a lovely texture. A hand-painted champlevé enamel frieze wraps around the central body of the gilt metal box, depicting scrolling turquoise vines blooming with red berries along with blue, green and yellow vine leaves. The interior is lined in the original silk and in very good original condition. The maker’s name ‘C. ROCCHEGGIANI ROMA’ is emblazoned in gold to the interior of the lid beneath the motif of a cross surmounted by a crown. The lining of both the lid and body are bordered with a ropetwist detail. The lid closes with hooked clasp, and the hinge is in good condition. Cesare Roccheggiani was one of the most successful mosaicists in the late 19th century in Rome. He probably worked in Michelangelo Barberi’s workshop, and was in all likelihood related to Lorenzo Roccheggiani, a late eighteenth-century master mosaicist at the Vatican whose work included the altarpiece, Crucifixion of St. Peter after Guido Reni, and Nicolo Roccheggiani who worked on the Achilles Shield tabletop commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, and later gifted to Charles X of France, now in the collection of the Louvre. Cesare Roccheggiani opened his premises on Via Condotti in Rome in 1874, and ran a production workshop including mosaicists, goldsmiths and other craftsmen. He was renowned as a source for fine quality Grand Tour mosaics. His works were exhibited at the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia and the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition, and can be found in the Gilbert Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum, as well as in the British Museum in London. A very similar (although less elaborate) example to the piece offered here can be found in the Allen Memorial Art Museum, object # 1904.1020.
  • Creator:
    Cesare Roccheggiani (Maker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 2.37 in (6 cm)Width: 3.55 in (9 cm)Depth: 3.55 in (9 cm)
  • Style:
    Grand Tour (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1875
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. In very good original condition. Please see photos. Small dent to the underside, not visible when the box is sitting in its normal position, and some slight fraying to the silk to the interior, commensurate with its age.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CCL1931stDibs: LU9676244130972

More From This Seller

View All
Champlevé Enamel & Agate Pill Box / Snuff Box, France c. 1880
Located in London, GB
An elegant and very collectible 19th century French gilt metal, champlevé enamel and banded agate pill or snuff box made c. 1880. The box has oval form with a frieze of colourful fl...
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Agate, Enamel

Erhard & Sohne Art Nouveau Jewelry Box Casket, Germany, c. 1905
By Erhard & Söhne
Located in London, GB
A beautiful art nouveau casket made by Erhard and Sohne in Germany in c. 1905. The casket is exquisitely executed with foliate detailing, made in th...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Tiger’s Eye Hardstone Silver Gilt Intarsia Jewelry Box by Unoaerre, Italy 1960s
By UnoAErre
Located in London, GB
An exquisite vintage Italian tiger’s eye intarsia jewelry or tabletop box stamped by Gori & Zucchi (later to become Unoaerre), retailed in Ravenna in c. 1960s. The box is veneered i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Decorative Boxes

Materials

Quartz, Silver

Original Mid Century Murano Glass Sommerso Box, Bucella Cristalli, Italy c. 1960
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous authentic and original emerald green and gold sommerso Murano glass casket, made in Italy c. 1960 and retaining its original label for Bucella Cristalli of Murano, Venice....
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Art Glass

Antique 6 Bell Fortissimo Music Box by J Manger & Co, c. 1885
Located in London, GB
An excellent-sounding Fortissimo 6 bell antique music box made by J. Manger & Co. of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1885. The fully serviced musical movemen...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Late Victorian Musical Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Mid Century Falcon’s Eye Intarsia Hardstone Jewelry Box, Italy, c. 1960
Located in London, GB
An exquisite vintage intarsia box veneered in falcon’s eye quartz, made in Italy, c. 1960. This decorative box has beautiful presence thanks to the deep rich blue-black colouring o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone, Quartz

You May Also Like

Italian Grand Tour Style, Pietra Dura & Leather Humidor Or Vanity Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional humidor or vanity box is a masterwork of craftsmanship, designed in the exquisite style of the Italian Grand Tour, a period of cultural exploration and refinement th...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Agate, Malachite, Onyx, Marble, Slate

19th Century Restauration Snuff Box with Micromosaic
Located in Paris, FR
Small rectangular Restauration snuff box crafted in gold. The hinged lid is decorated with an oval micromosaic representing St. Peter's Square in Rome. Micromosaic is set in a gold s...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Gold

Anglo Indian Micro Mosaic Inlay Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
Exquisitely crafted early 20th century Anglo Indian micro mosaic Sadeli box with gorgeous antique Persian geometric pattern. The finely detailed box featu...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Bone, Fruitwood

Early 19th Century French Gold Box with Enamel and Miniature Portrait
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A STUNNING Early 19C French Gold Box with Enamel and Miniature Portrait. Box made with brass but has been plated with 18ct Gold with beau...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Grand Tour Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Antique Jewelry Box, Hand-painted, France, Around 1900
Located in Greven, DE
A special unique piece! Hand-painted, probably from France, late 19th century. Beautiful floral patterns in colorful and golden paint.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood

1950s Anglo Indian Style Micro Mosaic Inlaid Jewelry Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1950's Anglo Indian, Indo Persian style micro mosaic inlaid jewelry box with lid. Large vintage intricate inlaid middle Eastern Persian style box with floral and geometric Islamic Mo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood