Antique Micromosaic in 18K Rococo Brooch hallmarked by the Vatican Workshop 1880

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About the Item

Antique micromosaic bouquet of flowers is the centerpiece of this elaborate rococo style 18K brooch. Hallmarked in 3 places by the Vatican Mosaic Workshop (also called Studio); on the verso, the brooch and the pinstem. The brooch, in good condition, displays remarkable artistic skill with realistic detail. The brooch measures 2.25 inches, the mark of the Vatican Workshop is a key and tiara. Following is a brief history as to why micromosaic art was important to the Catholic Church. From its initial conception at approximately 319 AD, the Church sought to locate St. Peter's Basilica at the site of the apostle's martyrdom. On its face such a decision would seem rational, if not appropriate. St. Peter however was executed in a marshy area on a side of the Tiber in the already quite humid city of Rome. Housed in the early St. Peters with its exposure for so many centuries of very high humidity most of the Basilica's artwork was beyond the help of the rudimentary preservation and restoration of the period. By about 1750 to which the "new" St. Peters dates it had therefore lost many oil and watercolor paintings as well as wood, bone, and tortoise sculptures, frames and other artifacts. What could the Church do? Enter the "new" age of Roman micromosaics in which tiny pieces of colored stone or glass when set with grout would prove to be impervious to the debilitating effects of humidity. By the early 1700's the Church would begin the process of establishing a school of instruction in mosaics. It would sponsor research and experimentation in developing especially glass tesserae and would encourage students to select damaged oils, paintings or watercolors as appropriate subjects for duplicative efforts in micromosaics. Gifted instructors and successful students both frequently had their work promulgated by the Church. And it was from this pool of recently praised practitioners that fame, and special commissions paralleled each other. This finely executed micromosaic displays wonderful detail, the elaborate 18K gold brooch is well made exhibiting fine gold rope and bead work done by hand. Rarely are pieces found today that bear the Vatican Mosaic Workshop hallmarked in 3 different places indicating that the entire piece - the micromosaic and the brooch were made there. We have one of the largest collections of micromosaics offered for sale. If our reader is searching for a particular motif, we would be happy to list it here for your consideration. From very large wall hangings, to desk objects such as paperweights to the smallest of brooches, one needs only to ask. All items sold are accompanied by a detailed Statement of Value. As always, we guarantee all of pieces to be exactly as represented. Over the decades of our stewardship as a small but exemplary purveyor of the jeweler's art, we have strived to offer a fine and authentic selection, in excellent condition, of collectible jewels from all highly sought time periods at competitive prices and even lower prices, if possible. In the process we have had the extraordinary good fortune of meeting remarkable people - some collectors, others just extremely interesting individuals who have taken the time and effort to examine their lives and select things that tend to make them smile, or admire, or just wonder at the exciting, endlessly creative and nuanced panoply of jeweled artifacts.

Metal:
18k Gold
Style:
Napoleon III
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
1880-1889
Date of Manufacture:
1880
Condition:
Seller Location:
Aspen, CO
Reference Number:
Seller: 11028461stDibs: LU19223598762

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