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Micromosaic Snuff Box
- Intricately rendered, this Italian micromosaic plaque set in this snuff box depicts Pliny’s Doves
- The design is after a popular motif praised by Pliny in his Natural History
- Crafted of ebonized wood, the box is mounted with gilt bronze decoration
- Get complete item description here
$34,200
Item No.
31-4085
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Description
This exceptional micromosaic snuff box represents the heights of this ancient art form. Depicting four doves sitting atop a bronze dish, the inset micromosaic captures one of the most famous and highly desirable classical motifs. Known as Pliny’s doves, the design comes from a Roman floor mosaic at Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, which is believed to be a copy of a lost ancient Greek mosaic at Pergamon that Pliny describes in his Natural History. Here,. . .
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This exceptional micromosaic snuff box represents the heights of this ancient art form. Depicting four doves sitting atop a bronze dish, the inset micromosaic captures one of the most famous and highly desirable classical motifs. Known as Pliny’s doves, the design comes from a Roman floor mosaic at Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, which is believed to be a copy of a lost ancient Greek mosaic at Pergamon that Pliny describes in his Natural History. Here, the popular image is intricately rendered from hundreds of tiny glass and ceramic tiles known as tesserae, each piece perfectly matched for color, size and placement. The plaque is mounted within a gilt bronze and ebonized wood box.
Strongly evocative of classical antiquity and the monumental decorative mosaics of ancient Greece and Rome, micromosaics were composed of small pieces of glass and precious stone. The craft flourished in Rome throughout the nineteenth century, largely driven by the influx of wealthy tourists on the Grand Tour seeking luxurious souvenirs to send home. One of the most demanding ventures undertaken by early 19th-century artisans, these pieces are rare treasures today.
Early 19th century
3 1/8" wide x 2 1/4" deep x 1" high
Strongly evocative of classical antiquity and the monumental decorative mosaics of ancient Greece and Rome, micromosaics were composed of small pieces of glass and precious stone. The craft flourished in Rome throughout the nineteenth century, largely driven by the influx of wealthy tourists on the Grand Tour seeking luxurious souvenirs to send home. One of the most demanding ventures undertaken by early 19th-century artisans, these pieces are rare treasures today.
Early 19th century
3 1/8" wide x 2 1/4" deep x 1" high
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Specifications
| Period: | 19th Century |
| Type: | Snuff/Tobacco Boxes |
| Style: | Neoclassical |
| Depth: | 2.25 in. (5.72 cm) |
| Width: | 3.13 in. (7.94 cm) |
| Height: | 1.0 in. (2.54 cm) |
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The Grand Tour: An Education of High Culture and Collecting
Read MoreBuy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
