Posted 11 years ago
agetron
(1 item)
This 19th C. antique Italian micro mosaic -- cottage, bridge and river with large tree scene is what I have to show today. Slide the top tesserrae layer to reveal a hidden beveled mirror and flip the pendant - on the reverse is a silver plated image of an art nouveau maiden with grapes in her hair. Dimensions 2.25" L 1.75 " W .5" H
I have looked online at the micro mosaic for decades and I never have seen a match to this necklace with blue crystals and the reversible brooch. Anyone have more information on such a piece?
I purchased it at auction 30 years ago from the private sale of an advanced antiques collector who died at the age of 90 years. This was from her personal stash - not for sale. Any info is appreciated. agetron
Beautiful!!!
This is stunning.
Maybe Agram will answer your questions, she 's the micro mosaic expert around here.
Thanks Newtimes - I think even for Micro mosaic - this piece is a bit over the top! Mirror, cut blue crystals & reversible brooch all in one. I hope she chimes in on it! Jason
Very beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Micro Mosiac and art nouveau on one piece, superb!
Indeed a very rare and special Micro Mosaic brooch. I've never seen this kind before. Is the chain and setting made of silver, are there any marks? If so, what?
Incidentally, in your commentary on the Micro Mosaic bracelet which is indeed beautiful but the Micro Mosaic is not put in Lapis Lazuli. We are talking about blue glass.
I will immediately place a Micro Mosaic Pendant in that same blue glass.
Hello Agram,
I appreciate your reply and everyone on this site says you know your micros!
Having read your comment that this is a rare and special find - confirms what I have always thought about this piece of jewelry. But I hoped to know something more. To answer your inquiry - the chain and holding brackets for the cut glass crystals is silver plated brass. I have looked this item over dozens of times with a jeweler's lens and just checked again - not a single mark of any kind - baffling to me. An awful lot of work for no recognition. I was hoping to learn more before it was gone - as my wife has told me she can't wear it and would like to move some things on and help our two kids with college expenses. So I was hoping to know more, as soon this will be in someone else's collection. Any last ideas? Thanks - on my lapis comment -- I was thinking that true lapis would have veining in the stone. Still amazing with the mosaic work. And, I love the same blue in your latest dove mosaic acquisition. Best - Jason
That's a pitty that there are no marks otherwise perhaps we could find the I suppose the micro mosaic was made in the period you already mentioned. Also the subject, a house, is unusual for Micro mosaic. Indeed Art nouveau period is right could also be a liitle later. The sizes of the tiles are also from that period of time.
All in all again quite a rare micro mosaic item and unfortenately I cannot let you know more about it. Succes in selling hope you get a good price!
Thanks for all the help Agram - You have provided me with more information than I could find after having this piece for 30 years!
I now know that it is not a common piece of jewelry design. That the house motif is not a typical subject either for mosaic. I went ahead and put it up for auction and will see how it does. I might even learn a bit more on it - if I do I will let you know. Many thanks! Jason
STUNNING....