95th Auction
2017/5/6
Lot 140
Antonio Aguatti, Rome/Geneva, 69 x 61 x 19 mm, 171 g, circa 1825
An impressive gold snuff box with Roman micromosaic plaque
Case: 18k gold, Geneva 18k gold stamp 1815-1881.
The rectangular box has a hinged lid with an inlaid polychrome micromosaic picture framed by an ornamental border. The picture shows two dogs, a spaniel lying on the grass and a poodle sitting next to him; the dogs are shown in an idealised landscape with a lake, a ruin and a mountain range in the background. All sides as well as the rounded corners are decorated with engine-turned pattern, chased flowers and acanthus leaves. The micromosaic picture is signed by Aguatti.
The tiny pieces have been set in such a way that they reflect the texture of the coat and give an incredibly lifelike appearance - a remarkable work that is second to none when it comes to quality and lustre.
In 19th century images of dogs were used regularly, as they stood for loyal and obedient love. This particular picture was originally created by Antonio Aguatti, it was, however, copied by many other artists.
Images that are made by using incredibly tiny glass pieces are called "micromosaic" - for some of them over 5,000 pieces per square inch have been used to create the picture. The very first mosaics of this type still revealed visible joints between the pieces and were known as tesserae; they usually also lacked perspective. Antonio Aguatti was a gifted artist who improved the technique immensely; his work was much truer to life than the earlier attempts. During the 18th century the use of glass for the micromosaic images was developed in the Vatican Mosaic Workshop in Rome. The Workshop still carries out restoration work on these pieces today.
Antonio Aguatti (?- circa 1846) is regarded as one of the most important micromosaic artists in the early 19th century. He improved the technique so much further that he was able to cut each glass section in different sizes and shapes and even combine several shades of colour in one rod. Aguatti worked at the Piazza di Spagna no. 96 in Rome and produced images of all sizes. He was appointed professor of the Studio Vaticano del Mosaico in 1834.
An impressive gold snuff box with Roman micromosaic plaque
Case: 18k gold, Geneva 18k gold stamp 1815-1881.
The rectangular box has a hinged lid with an inlaid polychrome micromosaic picture framed by an ornamental border. The picture shows two dogs, a spaniel lying on the grass and a poodle sitting next to him; the dogs are shown in an idealised landscape with a lake, a ruin and a mountain range in the background. All sides as well as the rounded corners are decorated with engine-turned pattern, chased flowers and acanthus leaves. The micromosaic picture is signed by Aguatti.
The tiny pieces have been set in such a way that they reflect the texture of the coat and give an incredibly lifelike appearance - a remarkable work that is second to none when it comes to quality and lustre.
In 19th century images of dogs were used regularly, as they stood for loyal and obedient love. This particular picture was originally created by Antonio Aguatti, it was, however, copied by many other artists.
Images that are made by using incredibly tiny glass pieces are called "micromosaic" - for some of them over 5,000 pieces per square inch have been used to create the picture. The very first mosaics of this type still revealed visible joints between the pieces and were known as tesserae; they usually also lacked perspective. Antonio Aguatti was a gifted artist who improved the technique immensely; his work was much truer to life than the earlier attempts. During the 18th century the use of glass for the micromosaic images was developed in the Vatican Mosaic Workshop in Rome. The Workshop still carries out restoration work on these pieces today.
Antonio Aguatti (?- circa 1846) is regarded as one of the most important micromosaic artists in the early 19th century. He improved the technique so much further that he was able to cut each glass section in different sizes and shapes and even combine several shades of colour in one rod. Aguatti worked at the Piazza di Spagna no. 96 in Rome and produced images of all sizes. He was appointed professor of the Studio Vaticano del Mosaico in 1834.
Sold
estimated
45.000—65.000 €
Price realized
57.600 €