Description
Italian, likely Circa 1880.
This beautiful box has an exceptional Grand Tour Micro-mosaic plaque depicting the Capitoline Doves or Doves of Pliny after the Roman antiquity. Also by legendary maker Giacomo Raffaelli.
"These doves, known as the Capitoline Doves or Doves of Pliny, appear frequently as the subject of micromosaics. The image comes from a Roman floor mosaic discovered in 1737 at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, which in turn is believed to be a copy of a lost ancient Greek mosaic at Pergamon. The original is described by Pliny the Elder in his Natural History, completed in 77AD.
The term 'micromosaic' is used to describe mosaics made of the smallest glass pieces. Some micromosaics contain more than 5000 pieces per square inch. The earliest attempts at micromosaic revealed visible joins between the pieces (known as tesserae) and a lack of perspective. Later artists such as Antonio Aguatti made huge advances in micromosaic technique, resulting in renderings that were truer to life. Glass micromosaic technique developed in the 18th century, in the Vatican Mosaic Workshop in Rome, where they still undertake restoration work today.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996." - V&A
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Minor wear to plaque commensurate with age and handling. However, the box has significant wear to surface as shown.
Origin:
Italy
Materials & Techniques:
Mosaic
International: No International Shipping for this auction.
Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding.
This beautiful box has an exceptional Grand Tour Micro-mosaic plaque depicting the Capitoline Doves or Doves of Pliny after the Roman antiquity. Also by legendary maker Giacomo Raffaelli.
"These doves, known as the Capitoline Doves or Doves of Pliny, appear frequently as the subject of micromosaics. The image comes from a Roman floor mosaic discovered in 1737 at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, which in turn is believed to be a copy of a lost ancient Greek mosaic at Pergamon. The original is described by Pliny the Elder in his Natural History, completed in 77AD.
The term 'micromosaic' is used to describe mosaics made of the smallest glass pieces. Some micromosaics contain more than 5000 pieces per square inch. The earliest attempts at micromosaic revealed visible joins between the pieces (known as tesserae) and a lack of perspective. Later artists such as Antonio Aguatti made huge advances in micromosaic technique, resulting in renderings that were truer to life. Glass micromosaic technique developed in the 18th century, in the Vatican Mosaic Workshop in Rome, where they still undertake restoration work today.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996." - V&A
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Minor wear to plaque commensurate with age and handling. However, the box has significant wear to surface as shown.
Origin:
Italy
Materials & Techniques:
Mosaic
International: No International Shipping for this auction.
Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding.
Condition
Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Minor wear to plaque commensurate with age and handling. However, the box has significant wear to surface as shown.
Buyer's Premium
20%
Dimensions
3.38 x 4.25 x 4.25 in
19th C. Italian Grand Tour Micro-Mosaic "Doves of Pliny" Box After Antiquity
Estimate $750-$2,240
Starting Price
$500
1 bidder is watching this item
LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection
Vetted auction houses
Secure, online bidding
Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings
Dedicated support when you need it
Heirloom Living II
Jun 12, 2026 7:00 PM EDTNew York, NY, United States
TOP
























