C. Roccheggiani Antique Micro Mosaic Jewelry Casket - St. Peter's, by Vatican Mosaic Workshop artist, Cesare Roccheggiani

C. Roccheggiani Antique Micro Mosaic Jewelry Casket - St. Peter's, by Vatican Mosaic Workshop artist, Cesare Roccheggiani

A rare signed micromosaic work by Vatican Mosaic Workshop artist, Cesare Roccheggiani, this magnificent enameled Italian oval casket survives from mid-Victorian Grand Tour times to thrill us today, some 150 years later. Cesare Roccheggiani's works date between 1856-64 at the Vatican workshops, or 'Manufattura Vaticana', hence the 'MV' on his works of that period. His works are among those on display in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London as part of the collection of Sir Gilbert, whose collection is also housed in one of my friend, Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel's, fabulous books, "Micromosaics: The Gilbert Collection", a book we highly recommend to anyone fascinated by this elegant ancient art of mosaic, and the awe inspiring miniaturization of the art into micromosaics such as the one you see here. A Roman Grand Tour souvenir of highest quality, this would have gone back home, no doubt, with one of the early tourists, to be proudly displayed in the Victorian home wherein it's value would have also represented the cultural expanse of the family who had the money and leisure to travel thus and to see such sights as the mosaics depicted. In this case, the subject is a most famous and familiar one, that of St. Peter's and the Piazza approaching it. Bernini's columns are well depicted here in miniature, and if you look closely, you'll also see the fountains in full volume and the ancient Egyptian obelisk, as well as many Vatican buildings behind the square. A few guards in colorful costumes designed by Michelangelo can be seen in the foreground (the one to left is quite obviously colored as the costumes remain today, though perhaps the other 2 people are a monk and layperson. Sometimes figures were put in to represent an event, or to personalize a visit. The oversized micromosaic oval plaque is well mounted in a traditional Italian enameled casket of the period, all original, and is in fine form for it's age and type. There is a single nip to the

Item ID: 1109mmcskt

$2,546 USD SOLD