The fashion for micromosaic jewellery centred on Rome and Florence, encouraged by the popularity of the Grand Tour to Italy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors to these cities purchased mementoes of their visit, including micromosaic jewellery which often featured scenes of classical ruins. Florentine mosaics were primarily flower studies, set in coloured hardstone or black marble. The jewellery is made using small, intricate pieces of glass or enamel called tessarae, which are set into a metal base to create a pattern or image. The individual pieces of glass or enamel are usually no larger than a few millimetres in size, and are arranged in a mosaic-like pattern to create a detailed design. Mosaics originated in ancient Rome, where they were used to decorate floors and walls, and the technique was revived 18th and 19th centuries in Italy in micro format, where artisans began using it to create more...

22 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Art Deco micro mosaic picture frame, floral inlaid arch design…

Art Deco micro mosaic picture frame, floral inlaid arch design calendar c.1930

Micromosaic Grand Tour antique Italian panel with peasant girl…

Micromosaic Grand Tour antique Italian panel with peasant girl harvest portrait, 19th century, 13 x 9 cm

Italian micro mosaic panel of Pliny's doves, 19th century, the…

19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Panel: Pliny's Doves

Italian micro mosaic panel of Pliny's doves, 19th century, the four inlaid doves drinking from a vessel, set in a shaped rectangular black marble panel, 10 x 15 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Qld

An Italian Micromosaic paperweight depicting the Pantheon, Rome,…

19th Century Italian Micromosaic Pantheon Paperweight

An Italian Micromosaic paperweight depicting the Pantheon, Rome, mid 19th century, the oval mosaic set within a border of red and blue stones in a rectangular black marble plaque with bevelled and fluted sides, 0.9 cm high, 15.5 cm wide, 10.5 cm deep,

An Italian Micromosaic plaque of 'Pliny's Doves', mid 19th…

Italian Micromosaic Plaque of Pliny's Doves

An Italian Micromosaic plaque of 'Pliny's Doves', mid 19th century, the mosaic set in a black marble plaque fluted to the sides, in a moulded walnut frame, the plaque 10.5 x 18.5 cm

A Venetian micromosaic framed mirror, late 19th century, the…

Venetian Micromosaic Framed Mirror

A Venetian micromosaic framed mirror, late 19th century, the oval plate within an eared rectangular frame decorated with applied mosaic flowers and glass details, 62 x 48 cm

19th century Italian micro mosaic panel, of rectangular form,…

Italian Micro Mosaic Panel of Interior Scene with Maid

19th century Italian micro mosaic panel, of rectangular form, depicting an interior scene with maid bringing tea on a tray, with her master trying to take advantage of the situation, in a slate frame, in tones of purple, red, green, white, brown, blue and…

An Italian micro-mosaic panel of the Basilica San Marco in…

Italian Micro-Mosaic Panel of Basilica San Marco, Venice

An Italian micro-mosaic panel of the Basilica San Marco in Venice, 19th century, original framing, panel 20 x 26 cm, 30.5 x 36 cm overall

An Italian micro mosaic floral plaque with goldstone border,…

19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Floral Plaque with Goldstone Border

An Italian micro mosaic floral plaque with goldstone border, 19th century, ?6.5 x 5 cm

An Italian micro mosaic bird plaque set in black slate with…

Italian Micro Mosaic Bird Plaque on Slate with Goldstone Border

An Italian micro mosaic bird plaque set in black slate with goldstone border, 19th century, 6.5 x 9.5 cm

A 19th century micro mosaic, depicting Daniel and the Lion,…

"Daniel and the Lion" Micro Mosaic

A 19th century micro mosaic, depicting Daniel and the Lion, diameter 6 cm.

An Italian micromosaic panel of Venice, in original gilt frame,…

Italian Micromosaic Panel of Venice, 19th Century

An Italian micromosaic panel of Venice, in original gilt frame, 19th century, 25 x 46 cm.

Antique micro mosaic paperweight plaque 10 cm x 7 cm

Antique Micro Mosaic Paperweight Plaque

Antique micro mosaic paperweight plaque 10 cm x 7 cm

An Italian micro mosaic 'tondo' panel, depicting the Forum,…

Italian Micro Mosaic Panel of Roman Forum

An Italian micro mosaic 'tondo' panel, depicting the Forum, Rome, possibly from the workshop of Biaggio Barzotti, third quarter 19th century, the circular panel depicting figures standing in the Roman Forum, the dome of St Peter's Basilica visible to the…

A vintage micro mosaic picture of St Peter's Basilica, the…

Vintage Micro Mosaic of St Peter's Basilica, Vatican

A vintage micro mosaic picture of St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican, early 20th century, the oval image set in black slate, produced at the Studio del Musaico at the Vatican, with label verso, height 11 cm, width 15 cm

A Victorian gold mounted micro mosaic of St Peters, Rome

Victorian Gold Micro Mosaic of St. Peter's, Rome

A Victorian gold mounted micro mosaic of St Peters, Rome

An Italian 19th century micro-mosaic oval panel, depicting a…

19th Century Italian Micro-Mosaic Oval Panel

An Italian 19th century micro-mosaic oval panel, depicting a classical Grand Tour building within green agate line border on a slate ground, 16.5 cm wide

Fine antique early Italian micro mosaic portrait, mounted in a…

Italian Micro Mosaic Portrait in Ebonized Frame with Bronze Decoration

Fine antique early Italian micro mosaic portrait, mounted in a stepped ebonized frame, with applied bronze decoration, retailing old paper label verso, approx 15 cm sq including frame

A large Italian micro-mosaic panel depicting St. Peter's square,…

Italian Micro-Mosaic Panel of St. Peter's Square

A large Italian micro-mosaic panel depicting St. Peter's square, by Gianfredi, circa 1880, The panel 33 x 42 cm

Framed collection early cameos and micromosaics. Total of 27…

Early Cameos & Micromosaics Collection in Frame

Framed collection early cameos and micromosaics. Total of 27 oval medallions: 10 cameos of classical subjects; 17 micromosaics of Roman scenes etc. Height 40 cm (overall)

Comport with six Micromosaic panels featuring insects and…

Insect and Flower Micromosaic Panels

Comport with six Micromosaic panels featuring insects and flowers. Dimensions 32.5 x 9 cm

Italian 19th century micro mosaic of the Capitoline Hill in…

Capitoline Hill Micro Mosaic in Malachite Frame

Italian 19th century micro mosaic of the Capitoline Hill in black marble and malachite frame dimensions 17 x 15 x 1.8 cm