λ A LATE 18TH CENTURY GOLD MOUNTED HARDSTONE AND MICROMOSAIC BONBONNIERE THE MICROMOSAIC...

λ A LATE 18TH CENTURY GOLD MOUNTED HARDSTONE AND MICROMOSAIC BONBONNIERE

THE MICROMOSAIC ATTRIBUTED TO GIACOMO RAFFAELLI (1753-1836) ROME, C.1780-90

the circular green tortoiseshell turned box with a pull-off cover, inset with a circular micromosaic plaque depicting the doves of Pliny perched on a branch within a floral border, with plain gold mounts

7.2cm diameter

Catalogue Note

Giacomo Raffaelli was born in Rome in 1753 and it is believed his family worked as providers of smalti to the Vatican Mosaic Workshop and Giacomo studied painting and sculpture as a child. He became one of the most celebrated artists in hardstones and mosaics and is credited with the invention of micromosaics in about 1775. Famous works include: a life-size version of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, now in the Minoretenkirche in Vienna and the monumental 'Centrepiece of the Viceroy' at the Villa Carlotta, probably made for Eugene Beauharnais. Other objects by Raffaelli are at Syon House, Middlesex and in the Gilbert Collection.