Micromosaic jewelry. First appearing in the 18th century, bigger in the nineteenth century and still being made today. Assembled with tweezers and much of it made in workshops at the Vatican and elsewhere in Italy a hundred years ago.

Micromosaic brooch/hair locket. ca. 1880-90.
Micromosaic brooch/hair locket. ca. 1880-90. Gold. Italian. Maker not known. Image courtesy Joden World Resources. Image © 2019 National Jeweler. Fair use license. via https://www.nationaljeweler.com/fashion/antique-estate-jewelry/7038-the-history-behind-micromosaic-jewelry
Micromosaic panel. ca. 1820-40.
Micromosaic panel. ca. 1820-40. Made in Rome, Italy. Antonio Aguatti, artist. Signed Aguatti. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s. Image © 2001-2019 Lang Antiques. Fair use license. via https://www.langantiques.com/university/micromosaic/
Micromosaic brooch with a dog motif. ca. 1860.
Micromosaic brooch with a dog motif and an unusual blue background. ca. 1860. Gold. Italian. Maker not known. Image © 1stdibs, Inc. 2019. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/brooches/brooches/micromosaic-antique-18-karat-gold-brooch-european-circa-1860/id-j_6607462/
Micromosaic bracelet. Mid 19th c.
Micromosaic bracelet. Mid 19th c. Italian. Hallmark of the Vatican Workshop of the Papal State. Photo courtesy Doyle & Doyle. Image ©GEM GOSSIP 2019. Fair use license. via https://gemgossip.com/doyle-doyle-debuts-rare-collection-of-antique-jewels/
Basilica di San Marco brooch with red spinels.
Basilica di San Marco brooch with red spinels. 19th c. Continental. Probably reset. Collection of Elizabeth Locke. © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA). Image ©2019 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Fair use license. via https://www.veranda.com/luxury-lifestyle/a27134033/elizabeth-locke-micromosaic-jewelry-collection/

Leave a Reply