13th Jun, 2024 10:30
Summer Specialist Sale
Early 19th century double-sided micromosaic, porphyry and unmarked gold bonbonniere or table box
Fine and extremely rare early 19th century double-sided micromosaic, porphyry and unmarked gold bonbonniere or table box, in the manner of Giacomo Raffaeli, (Italian, 1753-1836), the circular cover depicting the Doves of Pliny, the underside a butterfly, each within raised foliate border, on porphyry body, 77mm diameter x 31mm high
A smaller micromosaic plaque of matching design attributed to Raffaeli was sold in these rooms for £3,000 (hammer),1st September 2022, lot 38.
Giacomo Rafaelli grew up in a family who had supplied the Vatican Mosaic Workshop with smalti, the material used for micromosaics. He trained to become a master in Florentine hardstone mosaics and Roman micromosaics, holding his first exhibition in 1775.
One of his earliest known examples is a small round plaque, signed and dated 1779, depicting 'The Doves of Pliny' (now at the British Museum).The original stems from a Roman floor mosaic, discovered in 1737 at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, which is believed in turn to be a copy of a lost ancient Greek mosaic at Pergamon.
Sold for £11,000
Fine and extremely rare early 19th century double-sided micromosaic, porphyry and unmarked gold bonbonniere or table box, in the manner of Giacomo Raffaeli, (Italian, 1753-1836), the circular cover depicting the Doves of Pliny, the underside a butterfly, each within raised foliate border, on porphyry body, 77mm diameter x 31mm high
A smaller micromosaic plaque of matching design attributed to Raffaeli was sold in these rooms for £3,000 (hammer),1st September 2022, lot 38.
Giacomo Rafaelli grew up in a family who had supplied the Vatican Mosaic Workshop with smalti, the material used for micromosaics. He trained to become a master in Florentine hardstone mosaics and Roman micromosaics, holding his first exhibition in 1775.
One of his earliest known examples is a small round plaque, signed and dated 1779, depicting 'The Doves of Pliny' (now at the British Museum).The original stems from a Roman floor mosaic, discovered in 1737 at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, which is believed in turn to be a copy of a lost ancient Greek mosaic at Pergamon.
Auction: Summer Specialist Sale, 13th Jun, 2024
Our Summer Specialist Sale of Fine Furniture, Modern Design, Paintings, Prints, Silver, Jewellery, Watches, Ceramics, Glassware & other Collectors
Highlights included an Austral Islands Cheif's staff £15,500, a Large Minton majolica elephant four-branch candelabrum centrepiece £6,200, an Asscher cut diamond (approx. 4.5 carats) platinum ring £11,500, The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, K.C.S.I £12,500, and an early 19th century double-sided micromosaic table box £11,000.
Viewing
Wednesday 12th June - 10am till 5pm
