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Museum quality large 14K gold Italian Grand Tour micro mosaic pendant C.1860.
The main attraction is a large micro mosaic miniature depicting an Italian countryman in folk costume playing the Gironda. Vivid colors glass tesserae (tiles) are painstakingly cut into beveled black onyx panel. The panel is 44 X 40 mm. It is bezel set in exclusive 14K gold ornate repousse chased frame, measuring 58 X 53 mm.
The bail is on swivel and can be folded to hide it away.
There are no hallmarks, tested 14K gold. Total weight is 36.8 grams.
Excellent antique condition.
The gold chain shown for display only.
The term Grand Tour refers to 17th through 19th century custom of a trip by young people to Europe, especially to Italy. While being in Rome, Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii and other famous cities they visited ancient artifacts and ladies were buying traditional jewelry from local jewelers. The interest to ancient Rome also sparkled a few times after Vesuvius eruptions in 18th and 19th centuries. One of the jewelry making techniques was micro-mosaic which had been known since Roman times and still very popular. Tiny pieces of specially prepared glass (tesserae) were set in cut out areas of black onyx or glass. Micro-mosaic items stayed in good shape for many years and still fascinate imagination.
