Set of eleven framed micromosaic plaques of Italian monuments

This piece is a set of oval-shaped plaques, depicting a variety of famous Italian momunents, buildings, and locations, which are collectively set within a carved giltwood frame.

It comprises eleven pieces in total, with a single large central oval that depicts Saint Mark's Square in Venice in the middle. The images are all small micro-mosaic pieces, set within red and blue borders, and showing various classical monuments including the Temple of Vesta and the Pantheon and two dove and chariot subjects.

Micromosaic are an exceptional form of craft that consists of minute tesserae of glass, or enamel-like material in later Italian examples, to create intricate images. Pieces such as these became popular during the Grand Tour, as they gave wealthy visitors to Italy a chance to recall important monuments and historical sites they had seen in a way that was worthy of the splendour and importance of those places.