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A Roman Micromosaic Plaque Depicting a Basket of Flowers

$23,292.83
£17,000
€19,829.58
CA$31,905.36
A$35,485.72
CHF 18,529.54
MX$431,823.50
NOK 236,650.52
SEK 221,936.44
DKK 147,995.79
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About the Item

A Roman Micromosaic Plaque Depicting a Basket of Flowers. Inscribed verso 'From The Townshend Colln.', 'Poe 200, Florentine Mosaic', 16.5 x 18 cm, the plaque 18.5 x 20 cm, overall Provenance: Probably Rev. Chauncy Hare Townshend (1798-1868), poet and collector. The term ‘micromosaic’ refers to mosaics made of the smallest glass pieces, and some contain more than 5000 pieces per square inches. The depiction of flower filled baskets are popular in mosaic art and are thought to derive from a large ancient Roman floor mosaic discovered in 1790 at the Quintilii. By the 19th century, mosaicists working at the Vatican Mosaic Workshop in Rome had perfected thin strands of pulled glass in a limitless pallet of colours which could be cut into miniscule tesserae and placed with unbelievable dexterity to create painterly compositions which at first glance appear to be oil paintings. Only on close inspection can it be observed that, on the contrary, these phenomenally detailed paintings are made from thousands of minute glass tiles. The perfection of the mosaicist’s art is evident in the present work whereby the tessarea are placed vertically, horizontally and even at angles, and combine vivid colours with expert shading to create a most lifelike depiction. Italy, Circa 1810-30.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 7.29 in (18.5 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 0.99 in (2.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Grand Tour (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1830
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Brighton, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: B770501stDibs: LU1028034995652

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