Description
Mounted in an Oval Ebonised Frame
From our collectables we are delighted to offer this Italian Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Spaniel ‘After the Hunt’ after Antonio Aguatti and Gioacchino Barberi. The Micro Mosaic carved in Lapis Lazuli with a central inlaid oval scene featuring a recumbent spaniel dog resting after catching a bird. The Dog lays within a field with foliage and trees surrounding it. Depictions of dogs in micromosaic were very popular as par of romantic genre, being symbolic of faithful love. Antonio Aguatti developed the theme at the beginning of the 19th century along with Gioacchino Barberi. Each tile of the Mosaic finely laid giving a nearly flawless scene with little visibility between the tiles within an ebonised frame with a domed glass centre to protect the Mosaic. The Micro Mosaic dates to the first half of the 19th century circa 1830.
Micro Mosaic is a form of mosaic that uses unusually very small mosaic pieces (tesserae) stone, tile or glass. Some times in later Italian pieces an enamel-like material, to make small figurative images was used, see Insight | Micro Mosaic.
Antonio Aguatti was a celebrated mosaicist active in Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy. He was associated with the Vatican workshop who were renowned for their highly skilled craftsmanship and restoration even today. Aguatti’s sought-after virtuoso works were copied by other mosaicists. Aguatti became known for his high quality and highly detailed mosaics noted for a selection of dogs and other animals.
Gioacchino Barberi was born in Rome in 1783 and died in January 1857. His worked out of Piazza di Spagna 99 in Rome, Italy (see Petochi 1981, p.45). Despite the coincidence of names, he has no connection with the Cavaliere Michelangelo Barberi, who was the most famous mosaicist of the Roman School in the mid-nineteenth century. In 1867, Luigi Barberi, son of Gioacchino, also jeweller and gem engraver, is listed in Murray’s Handbook to Rome at the same address; his shop is described as ‘one of the best for the ordinary class of mosaic ornaments’. He last appears in the handbooks in 1881.
Grand Tour was a trip taken around Europe, typically undertaken by young men. The period began in the 17th century and went through to the late 18th century. Women over the age of 21 would occasionally partake, providing they were accompanied by a chaperone from their family. The Grand Tour was seen as an educational trip across Europe, usually starting in Dover, and would see young, wealthy travellers search for arts and culture. Those on The Grand Tour would often have a healthy supply of funds in order to enjoy themselves freely. Marble busts such as this one would be for sale to tourists partaking in the grand tour and for sale as a form of souvenir to educate and remember where they had visited.
Measurements Frame 8.7cm High x 9.8cm Wide x 2cm Deep (3.43 x 3.86 x 0.79) Micro Mosaic 2.8cm High 3.3cm Wide (1.1 x 1.3 Inches)
Condition Excellent antique condition, split to the ebonsied wooden frame no damage to the micro mosaic.
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