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E-SHOP / giacomo raffaelli, attributed (1753-1836). a grand tour micromosaic panel — the doves of pliny

GIACOMO RAFFAELLI, attributed (1753-1836). A Grand Tour Micromosaic Panel — The Doves of Pliny

£ 2950

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giacomo raffaelli, attributed (1753-1836). a grand tour micromosaic panel — the doves of pliny

GIACOMO RAFFAELLI, attributed (1753-1836). A Grand Tour Micromosaic Panel — The Doves of Pliny

£ 2950

Tesserae on black ground, set in a circular wooden frame
Diameter: 77 mm
Rome, 18th century
 

This large circular micromosaic panel depicts the celebrated composition known as the Doves of Pliny or Capitoline Doves, one of the most iconic subjects in the Grand Tour decorative arts tradition. The scene derives from a Roman floor mosaic uncovered in 1737 during excavations at Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, itself believed to reproduce a lost Hellenistic mosaic from Pergamon. The ancient source is recorded by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia (XXXVI, 184), in which he describes with admiration a dove drinking from a stone basin while casting its shadow upon the water, as others perch and preen along the rim of a cantharus.

The present work belongs to the circle of Giacomo Raffaelli (Rome, 1753–1836), the foremost master of Roman micromosaic art and the principal exponent of the technique during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Raffaelli returned to this composition on at least five documented occasions; the earliest known example, dated 1778, is preserved in the British Museum, London, while further autograph versions are held in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, the Vatican Museums, the Gilbert Collection, London, and the Savelli Collection, Rome.

The exceptional density and refinement of the tessellation — characteristic of the Roman mosaico minuto tradition — attest to the high technical standard of execution, consistent with workshop production in Raffaelli’s immediate circle.
J. Hanisee Gabriel, The Gilbert Collection Micromosaics, London, 2000, p. 14; M.G. Branchetti, Collezione Savelli. Mosaici minuti romani, Rome, 2004, p. 19; A.M. Massinelli, Giacomo Raffaelli (1753–1836): Maestro di stile e di mosaico, Inprogress S.r.l., 2018.​​​​​​​​​

Each piece of jewellery is delivered with an authentification certificate signed by Bianca Massard and Gabriele Vangelli de Cresci experts, including additional documentation if existing and exhaustive description of the piece.
Pictures are part of the description and show state of conservation of the item. For additional pictures please contact us. (see contact section)

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Each piece of jewellery is delivered with an authentification certificate signed by Bianca Massard and Gabriele Vangelli de Cresci experts, including additional documentation if existing and exhaustive description of the piece.
Pictures are part of the description and show state of conservation of the item. For additional pictures please contact us. (see contact section)

Shipping and pick-up at the store options can be chosen during check out.

Our exclusive delivery partner is ThePackengers.
ThePackengers, specialized in the packaging and transport of works of art and collectibles, already collaborates with the largest auction houses as Drouot, but also with galleries, fairs, antique dealers, decorators and e-marketplaces.
See our Country List
Shipping Terms and Conditions.
Privacy Policy ThePackengers.

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