OVAL MIRROR IN MICRO-MOSAIC

Oval mirror with a curved edge, on a micro-mosaic base decorated with daisies on a turquoise background. It is set in a wooden frame. The motifs of foliage and flowers are in the naturalist taste of the late 19th century. The edge of the mirroris gilded to accentuate the brilliance of the reflection. The micro glass mosaic of this piece is probably a Venetian work dated around 1870.

Micro-mosaic is a technique that enjoyed a golden age between the 18th and early 19th centuries. It involves assembling elements of glass, enamel or hard stone together, making the joints almost invisible. This delicate form of decoration was the brainchild of two craftsmen, Cesare Aguatti and Giacomo Raffaelli, who invented tesserae based on spun glass: smalti filati. The glass is melted and amalgamated with others of different colors. This creates glass "baguettes" or canes, which are then finely cut into pieces of less than 2mm. Micro-mosaic objects, made in Italy, gained popularity in Europe at the time of the Grand Tour.

Late 19th century

Circa: 1870

Dim: W:21cm, D:2,5cm, H:30cm

Condition report: in very good condition. Tain wear.