-Roman Revival 1850 Papal Grand Tour Vatican Micro Mosaic Brooch In 22Kt Yellow Gold

A Roman revival grand tour brooch.

An exceptional historical piece, created in the Victorian Grand Tour era in Rome Italy during the Papal States period, back in the 1850. It was carefully crafted with Roman-Etruscan revival patterns in solid rich yellow gold of 22 karats and embellished with a black onyx panel mounted with an intricate micro mosaic that show the bird's view of the Vatican, Saint Peter Square and the Basilica. The gold frame is decorated around with a patterns of twisted wires and fitted with a hinged bar and a hook security lock.

The micro mosaic is of Italian origin made in Rome, created from more than eight hundred tiny pieces, carved from natural stones, such; blue lapis lazuli, red coral, black onyx, green malachite, black onyx and creme nacre.

The micro mosaic is extremely well detailed, depicting the aerial view of the Saint Peter square with people walking and seated, the Saint Peter Basilica and the egyptian obelisk with two fountains in the center, all encircled by the columnatas designed by the famous architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680). The workmanship of the micro mosaic is exceptional with a fabulous level of detail. In this, the sober colors of each placed piece can be appreciated and the texture can be felt, which denotes a creation date of the mid-19th century.

Weight: 15.95 Grams, (10.22 Dwt).

Measurements: Diameter of 40 mm and a width of 7 mm (1.57 x 0.28 Inches).

Hallmarks: Stamped with the old Papal States assay marks for the 22kt gold. One time with the Crossed Keys and a Cardinal Capello inside a triangle and one time with the maker's lozenge cartouche with the number 4 for the Roman identification goldsmith.

History of the Hallmark: The first statutes of the guild of Roman goldsmiths date back to 1358, in which was stated the rule of the warranty punch. The University of Goldsmiths was founded in 1508 and the statutes approved the following year introduced the use of the master's mark in addition to the previous guarantee mark. In 1738, with the reform of the Statutes of Goldsmiths, the guild acquired the name of "Nobil Collegio degli Orefici ed Argentieri di Roma" (Noble College of Goldsmiths and silversmiths of Rome). The warranty mark used prior to the French invasion was a series of "crossed keys of St. Peter under a liturgical umbrella" enclosed into shields, ovals or other geometric shapes.

Note: It was in 1870, the conquest of Rome marked the end of Stato Pontificio (Papal State). Italy attained its unity along with a unique system of hallmarking, introduced in the Regno d'Italia (Kingdom of Italy).

History Behind This Piece

Between the 1820 and 1890, ancient cities were discovered, such as Troy, Pompeii and Alexandria. Archaeological excavations in Egypt, Greece and Rome, discovered artistic pieces of these ancient cultures. These fabulous discoveries, stimulated cultural trips to these countries, popularly called "grand tour". Being the case that the enthusiast visitors bring back small objects, like souvenirs to be assembled into jewelry. The starting point of these trips were in the cities of Rome and Venice. this is why the craftsmen of these cities created small and interesting objects with ancient characteristics like this brooch.

Revival jewelry: The styles from the renaissance and Middle Ages, begun in the 1850’s, The Renaissance and Egyptian revivals were joined by a classical revival of Greek and Etruscan styles to conform a new aesthetic. As a result of the construction work on the Suez Canal in the mid-1860’s and the Egyptian excavations of Auguste Mariette and the resultant exhibit of Egyptian treasures at the exposition Universelle in 1867, a fascination for all things Egyptian and ancient cultures developed.

Note: Many nineteenth-century jewelers, were inspired to create their own versions of these ancient pieces, hence “Etruscan Revival”, the most famous being the House of Castellani. Characteristics of Etruscan style jewelry include use of high karat gold and semi-precious stones like lapis, malachite and agates, and most distinguishingly, the use of intricate filigree and granulation.

Collateral: This brooch is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.

Condition: The overall condition of this brooch is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. All mosaic pieces are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: P03232MNNE/.3834