Late 18th Century Desk Accessories

Flat trapezoidal shaped tablet case in enamelled gold. The upper part is hinged and opens with a push-button. The case is composed of four translucent blue...

18th century micromosaic of a turtle dove on her nest with a chick, attributed to Giacomo Raffaelli. To see a similar plaque, signed and dated Giacomo Raffaelli, 1791; see: Aste Bolaffi Auction House, lot 324, May 31, 2023, Torino Italy. Birds were a popular motif in micromosaics in the last quarter of the 18th century and into the early 19th century. This mosaic is well executed with fine detail as seen in the shading. Little effort had been made in the dark background to follow the contour of the dove's silhouette, instead keeping the tessera in horizontal rows with square tesserae. The decorative border or millefiori of three colors around the edge create a colorful frame to this delightful scene. All of these characteristics date this plaque as being late 18th century and most likely executed by Giacomo Raffaelli. For more detailed information, see page 32 of "The Gilbert Collection Micromosaics by Jeanette H. Gabriel. Philip Wilson Publishers. The reader will see the characteristics unique to Raffaelli. Jeannette Gabriel is considered a foremost expert in the work of Raffaelli, and was a statically important participant in the management, development and analysis of the Gilbert Collection. Her observations relative to the work of Raffaelli are therefore quite credible by art historians This micromosaic is 2 5/8th inches in diameter, and backed in copper which is typical of plaques made at this time. This plaque was probably set onto a box of some sort as it has a glue like substance on the verso, which can be removed. We have chosen to keep this as it came to us, and in an effort to be careful, we have made no effort to remove it. 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...

Flat, rectangular case for holding writing utensils in colored gold and vernis Martin (a type of imitation lacquer). A button serves to open the hinged lid. Four panels made of verni...

French neo classic desk seal. Wonderful desk seal, created in France during the late 18th century, back in the 1798-1808. This magnificent piece of art was conceived as a miniature sculpture mounted in a Louis XVI neoclassical style base. This base is crafted in 18 karats gold over silver with chiseled and incised decorations, supporting a magnificent extremely detailed carving of a women. The carved piece, depicts, the naked portrait bust of the classical Greek-Roman goddess of the flowers and nature Flora (Heba), facing forward and exhibiting her breasts, undressed and crowned with flowers, wheat and ivy. Flora or Heba She was the deity of the flowering plants, fertility, spring, and blossoming. Although she was a minor figure compared to other goddesses of the Roman empire, she was important as a fertility goddess. Flora was responsible for the abundance of the crops in spring, so her worship strengthened as this season approached. Her name derives from the Latin floris, which means flower, and her Greek counterpart was the nymph, Chloris. The Sabine King Titus Tatius introduced Flora into the Roman pantheon...