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A Rare Antique Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Marble Desk Paperweight with the Doves of Pliny Circa 1870
Sold by Robert Belcher Antiques
sold SA1101529
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 407 items
  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Id #SA1101529
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A Rare Antique Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Marble Desk Paperweight with the Doves of Pliny Circa 1870

19th century
Sold 30 November 2024 · Robert Belcher Antiques
This “Rare Antique Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Marble Desk Paperweight with the Doves of Pliny Circa 1870” found a buyer.

It was listed by Robert Belcher Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

A superb Italian micro mosaic Grand Tour memento.

This large desk paperweight is made from very well figured cream marble.

The marble is made in two sections: a serpentine lower tablet and a smaller oval tablet above. The centre of the tablet is mounted with a very fine micro mosaic panel decorated with the classical doves of Pliny.

The oval panel is made from black marble, intricately inlaid with tiny fragments of cut coloured glass, which are combined to produce the decoration of four doves drinking from a raised urn filled with water.

Please note that this marble paperweight is in excellent original condition with no damage or repair. All lines in the black and cream marble are natural grain, not cracks.

Italian circa 1870

Height 3cm x width 15cm x depth 11cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
3cm (1.18")
Width
15cm (5.91")
Depth
11cm (4.33")
Declaration

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Micro Mosaic Paperweight to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1101529
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
A superb Italian micro mosaic Grand Tour memento.

This large desk paperweight is made from very well figured cream marble.

The marble is made in two sections: a serpentine lower tablet and a smaller oval tablet above.

“
The centre of the tablet is mounted with a very fine micro mosaic panel decorated with the classical doves of Pliny.
Robert Belcher Antiques
fig 1. An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin.
fig 1. A Rare Antique Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Marble Desk Paperweight with the Doves of Pliny Circa 1870

The oval panel is made from black marble, intricately inlaid with tiny fragments of cut coloured glass, which are combined to produce the decoration of four doves drinking from a raised urn filled with water.

fig 2. An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin.
fig 2. A Rare Antique Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Marble Desk Paperweight with the Doves of Pliny Circa 1870

Please note that this marble paperweight is in excellent original condition with no damage or repair. All lines in the black and cream marble are natural grain, not cracks.

Italian circa 1870

Height 3cm x width 15cm x depth 11cm

Height
3cm (1.18")
Width
15cm (5.91")
Depth
11cm (4.33")
Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Micro Mosaic Paperweight to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1101529
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Robert Belcher Antiques Profile Page

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An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 10
Archive I An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

A Rare Antique Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Marble Desk Paperweight with the Doves of Pliny Circa 1870

Archive II An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. View II
Archive III An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. View III
Archive IV An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. View IV
Archive V An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. View V
Archive VI An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. View VI
Archive VII An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. View VII
Archive VIII An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. View VIII
Archive IX An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. View IX
Archive X An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 407
Items Sold 679
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
407
Sold
679
An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin.
A rare antique Grand Tour micro mosaic marble desk paperweight with the doves of Pliny circa 1870
Ref: SA1101529
An antique layered marble paperweight featuring a central micro mosaic panel depicting doves resting on a basin.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesk Accessories
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian Grand Tour
  • MaterialMarble, Onyx, Glass Tesserae
  • ColourCream
  • MotifsDoves of Pliny, Tiered marble base, Floral or figural mosaic panel
  • SizeH 3 cm (1 in) x W 15 cm (6 in) x D 11 cm (4 in)

Grand Tour micro mosaics are intricate artworks created using tiny glass or stone tesserae, produced in 19th-century Italy as souvenirs for wealthy travellers touring classical sites.

These items typically feature a base of polished marble, onyx, or slate inset with a central panel composed of microscopic glass threads or natural stones fused together.

Authentic pieces display irregular, hand-cut tesserae with visible mortar lines under magnification, natural stone bases with age-related wear, and subject matter inspired by archaeological discoveries.

It functions well as a focal point on a study desk, bookshelf, or coffee table, adding classical texture and historical interest to curated interior schemes.

Dust gently with a soft, dry brush and avoid liquid cleaners, moisture, or direct sunlight to protect the fragile glass tesserae and natural stone surface.
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