The finest micro-mosaic we have ever come across! As is exemplified by this masterpiece, micro-mosaics are tiny, beautiful works of art created by meticulously arranging tiny glass pieces of varying shapes and colors into a representative image. They were most popular in jewelry during the "Grand Tour" era of the 16th to early 19th centuries. Young aristocrats would tour Italy and other European destinations, educating themselves on arts and culture of the previous eras. Oftentimes they would collect micro-mosaics which depicted landmarks, or would commission custom pieces. They became a type of souvenir or sometimes a kind of postcard they would send back to their loved ones. Handmade in 18k yellow gold, this brooch features the revered micro-mosaic work of Italian artisans. Most intriguing is how tiny each glass stone is, allowing for extra fine details in the fruit basket still life. Such fineness lends depth and dimension to the image, creating intricate shading that is rare in such a small micro-mosaic artwork. This stunning work of art's frame and back has a gorgeous patina that we have only lightly polished to preserve its antique charm. It measures about 1 3/8 inches across by 1 inch wide. The pin has an early c-catch original to the 1840s-50s era in which it was fashioned.

Inventory# P08896