Extraordinary and rare Roman Archaeological Revival bracelet (ROME 1850/1870),…

EUR 5,000 – EUR 5,600

Extraordinary and rare Roman Archaeological Revival bracelet (ROME 1850/1870), executed in micromosaic (attributable by quality to the circle of Castellani - Pierret - Melillo - Roccheggiani), double-bodied rigid bangle, domed surface, fluted column hinges with palmettes, scrolls and granulation, micro tesserae of polychrome drawn enamel on a matrix. The iconography at the centre of the front band depicts a frontal half-length female figure with long auburn hair and arms outstretched to the sides, flanked in heraldic composition by two winged fantastical animals in profile (griffin-horses/sea dragons). On the opposite front band, three circular medallions within red borders: two doves facing one another with olive sprigs in their beaks, perched on an aedicule/basket against a deep blue ground, a subject drawn from the Early Christian iconography of the 'drinking doves', itself derived from the celebrated Hadrianic mosaic preserved in the Capitoline Museums (the 'Doves of Pliny', discovered in 1737 at Hadrian's Villa). In the lateral roundels, stylised birds with plumed tails and olive branches, polychrome on a white ground within a blue circle, clearly inspired by Ravennate/Byzantine mosaic work. To the interior, post-Restoration chamber hallmark (1815-1870) with crossed keys and papal tiara. Dimensions 73 x 60 x 20 mm Weight 68.07 g.

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