Antique micromosaic, lapis lazuli and wood guéridon

The table features a top which is decorated with a central circular micromosaic showing a view of the Vatican City in Rome. This depicts Saint Peter’s Square with the obelisk at its centre and Saint Peter’s Basilica just beyond it. The micromosaic is set within a circular frame inlaid with the blue gemstone, lapis lazuli. Creating a fan around the central circular work are eight micromosaic wedges which depict various historic monuments in Rome.

Directly beneath the view of the Vatican City is a view of the Colosseum. Moving clockwise from this, we see the circular Tempe of Hercules Victor, then the Ponte Saint’ Angelo spanning the Tiber with the Castel Sant’ Angelo on the right. To the left, the mosaic appears to portray one of the gates in the Aurelian Walls of Rome, and the following piece shows the Pantheon with the obelisk in the Piazzo della Rotonda in front of it. The next wedge depicts the Arch of Titus, and the next again shows Capitoline Hill with the Cordonata stairway and statues of the Dioscuri. The final micromosaic provides a view of the Roman Forum, featuring the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, the Vulcanal and the Temple of Saturn. These depictions of buildings in Rome are encircled by a micromosaic meander (or Greek key) border.

The micromosaic table top is contained within a circular wooden frame which is carved with flowers and foliage. The top tilts up to allow the beholder to properly view and appreciate the quality of the micromosaic work. 

Supporting the top is a single wooden stem which is fluted and decorated with carvings of rosettes and leaves. The stem is set on three legs which are carved with stylised foliage and terminate in upward-scrolled feet.

Table top normal: Height 71cm, diameter 71cm
Table top tilted: Height 117cm, diameter 71cm