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ID #SA1216265
FOR SALE
£3,950
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Mid 19th Century Italian Micromosaic Plaque of the Doves of Pliny or the Capitoline Doves in Ebonised Frame
LVS Decorative Arts
for sale €4,622     $5,017
£3,950
LVS Decorative Arts

LVS Decorative Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2011
View Dealers Stock Page
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    LVS Decorative Arts is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA1216265
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Mid 19th Century Italian Micromosaic Plaque of the Doves of Pliny or the Capitoline Doves in Ebonised Frame

19th century
Description

Mid 19th century (circa 1860) Italian micromosaic plaque of the Doves of Pliny or The Capitoline Doves, framed within an oval gilt slip and ebonised wooden frame.

This micromosaic plaque of The Doves of Pliny or Capitoline Doves consists of four doves resting on the edge of a two-handled gold basin, this resting on a marble square, within black background of polished slate.

Paper label to the reverse with handwritten words as follows:

THE DOVES OF PLINY

ITALIAN CIRCA 1860

PURCHASED MIAMI $ PNFR

FEB. 96

This image originates from a Roman floor mosaic discovered in 1737 during excavations at Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, now in the Capitoline Museum, believed to be a copy of a lost ancient Greek mosaic at Pergamon by the Greek artist Sosus, the original is described by Pliny the Elder in his Natural History completed in 77AD as ‘one dove drinking, the others sunning themselves’.

The term micromosaic describes mosaics made from very small glass pieces or tesserae, later The Vatican Mosaic Workshops developed an opaque enamel tesserae called ‘smalti’ to their own secret formula.

This example possibly originates from the Vatican Micromosiac Workshops who produced many of these sought after micromosaics in the 18th and 19th centuries, their work being of the finest of qualities and popular with the Grand Tour collectors, The Doves of Pliny or Capitoline Doves often appear as the subject of micromosaics.

Reference: a few examples of micromosaics of the Doves of Pliny can be found in the book 'The Gilbert Collection ‘Micromosaics’' by Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel.

This micromosaic is in very good condition for age and can go straight into a home or collection.

Size:

Height: 7.5’’ / 19cm

Width: 8.5’’ / 21.5cm

Width: 1.5’’ / 4cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
19cm (7.48")
Width
21.5cm (8.46")
Depth
4cm (1.57")
Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Italian Micromosaic Doves Plaque to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1216265
Dealers Internal Reference
LVS1513
Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description
Mid 19th century (circa 1860) Italian micromosaic plaque of the Doves of Pliny or The Capitoline Doves, framed within an oval gilt slip and ebonised wooden frame.

This micromosaic plaque of The Doves of Pliny or Capitoline Doves consists of four doves resting on the edge of a two-handled gold basin, this resting on a marble square, within black background of polished slate.

fig 1. A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame.
fig 1. Mid 19th Century Italian Micromosaic Plaque of the Doves of Pliny or the Capitoline Doves in Ebonised Frame

Paper label to the reverse with handwritten words as follows:

THE DOVES OF PLINY

ITALIAN CIRCA 1860

PURCHASED MIAMI $ PNFR

FEB. 96

This image originates from a Roman floor mosaic discovered in 1737 during excavations at Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, now in the Capitoline Museum, believed to be a copy of a lost ancient Greek mosaic at Pergamon by the Greek artist Sosus, the original is described by Pliny the Elder in his Natural History completed in 77AD as ‘one dove drinking, the others sunning themselves’.

“
The term micromosaic describes mosaics made from very small glass pieces or tesserae, later The Vatican Mosaic Workshops developed an opaque enamel tesserae called ‘smalti’ to their own secret formula.
LVS Decorative Arts
fig 2. A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame.
fig 2. Mid 19th Century Italian Micromosaic Plaque of the Doves of Pliny or the Capitoline Doves in Ebonised Frame

This example possibly originates from the Vatican Micromosiac Workshops who produced many of these sought after micromosaics in the 18th and 19th centuries, their work being of the finest of qualities and popular with the Grand Tour collectors, The Doves of Pliny or Capitoline Doves often appear as the subject of micromosaics.

fig 3. A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame.
fig 3. Mid 19th Century Italian Micromosaic Plaque of the Doves of Pliny or the Capitoline Doves in Ebonised Frame

Reference: a few examples of micromosaics of the Doves of Pliny can be found in the book 'The Gilbert Collection ‘Micromosaics’' by Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel.

This micromosaic is in very good condition for age and can go straight into a home or collection.

Size:

Height: 7.5’’ / 19cm

Width: 8.5’’ / 21.5cm

Width: 1.5’’ / 4cm

Height
19cm (7.48")
Width
21.5cm (8.46")
Depth
4cm (1.57")
Date of Manufacture

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Italian Micromosaic Doves Plaque to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1216265
Dealers Internal Ref
LVS1513
LVS Decorative Arts
LVS Decorative Arts
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2011
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the LVS Decorative Arts Profile Page

Trade Associations

LVS Decorative Arts is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame.
1 / 9
Archive I A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame.

Mid 19th Century Italian Micromosaic Plaque of the Doves of Pliny or the Capitoline Doves in Ebonised Frame

Archive II A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame. View II
Archive III A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame. View III
Archive IV A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame. View IV
Archive V A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame. View V
Archive VI A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame. View VI
Archive VII A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame. View VII
Archive VIII A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame. View VIII
Archive IX A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
LVS Decorative Arts

LVS Decorative Arts
Telephone 07703 306451
Location
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/lvs
Verified Since May 2011
Items For Sale 231
Items Sold 1,086
LVS Decorative Arts
LVS Decorative Arts
Verified Since May 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/lvs
Verified
May 2011
For Sale
231
Sold
1,086
A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame.
Mid 19th century Italian micromosaic plaque of the Doves of Pliny or The Capitoline Doves in ebonised frame
Ref: SA1216265
A framed oval micromosaic depicting four birds drinking from a golden basin on a black ground, set within a gilt bevelled inner slip and dark ebonised wooden frame.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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FAQs

Micromosaics are detailed artworks composed of minute glass tesserae assembled into pictorial scenes, popularised in Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries as keepsakes for travelers undertaking the Grand Tour.

Craftsmen utilised thousands of tiny glass or enamel tesserae, known as smalti, set into a marble, slate, or metal tray using a slow-drying mastic adhesive.

Authentic 19th-century pieces feature extremely tight, almost seamless placement of glass tesserae, classical subject matter such as Roman ruins or the Doves of Pliny, and age-appropriate cement or slate backing.

Mount the framed plaque as part of a gallery wall, arrange it on a bookshelf alongside bound volumes, or display it prominently on a mantelpiece.

Dust the surface lightly with a soft, dry brush to prevent loosening delicate tesserae, and avoid moisture, liquid cleaners, or exposure to direct heat.
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