Exceptionally fine and rare Grand Tour micro-mosaic and chase-decorated gilded musical box. The Mosaic study attributed to G. Raffaelli of the Vatican Studio Workshop, Italy.

Made circa 1815-20, with two-air cylinder movement probably by Alibert, playing Rule Britannia and a variation,

21-part sectional comb with teeth in groups of three, on plain unmarked polished bedplate, under moulded detail gilt-framed and glazed dust panel, the lid with full-width inset panel of micro-mosaic depicting a full view of the Colosseum with hills and small dwellings afar, before ruins and a seated figure to the foreground beneath a clear blue sky, of breathtaking detail and definition of execution throughout using thousands of individual coloured glass and stone tesserae, with pulvinated forms for all 3D detail of shadows and sun-drenched highlights, mounted on Nero-Belgio marble, framed with raised zig-zag engraved border and twin-scroll shaped thumb lift to front centre, in the classical casket-form gilt metal case with Rococo scroll chasing amongst pheasants and leaf trails, shaded reserves and shaped fielding to each side panel, plain panel underside, raised on four shell pad feet

Dimensions of the case: 4 1/4 inches (11cm) wide, 3 inches
(8cm) deep

Dimensions of the micro-mosaic: 3 3/16 inches (8cm) wide, 2 in. (5cm) high, cylinder 2.3/8 inches (6cm)

Footnote: Collectors of micro-mosaics have always striven to obtain the high-definition examples, usually from this Grand Tour period, where little if any space between the stones/tiles may be detected by the naked eye.

Here, one may be convinced that this study of the Colosseum is a painting even at just a half arm’s-length away, until a closer examination with the aid of a loupe is made. The details seen of this famous ruin are some of the finest and the consistency remains throughout the entire frame, from sky to foreground.