A Roman micro mosaic tondo with a depiction of Greek ruins - image-1

Lot 20 Dα

A Roman micro mosaic tondo with a depiction of Greek ruins

Auction 1075 - overview Cologne
17.11.2016, 16:30 - Jewellery, Boxes and Portrait Miniatures
Estimate: 4.000 € - 6.000 €
Result: 4.464 € (incl. premium)
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A Roman micro mosaic tondo with a depiction of Greek ruins

In a glazed frame of 14k gold, backed with copper. Finely depicting the temple ruins of Paestum with figures in the foreground. 4.2 x 3.1 cm. Weight 18.6 g.
Vatican Workshops, 1st quarter 19th C.

The fine quality of the three-dimensional rendering of the architecture in miniscule glass tessarae indicates that a master was at work on this tondo. Roman micro mosaic depictions of Hellenic ruins are very rare. A slightly larger plaque with an identical depiction but varying figures is kept in the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (Loan Gilbert.201-2008). The piece is housed in an identical frame and also has a copper back panel.