Exceptional 19th c. Micro Mosaic of the Ponte de Rialto, Venice

Item Details

An exceptional example of a 19th century Italian tesserae micro mosaic panel depicting the Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Most likely purchased by a wealthy traveler while on a Grand Tour, the panel is done in tiny slivers of colored glass painstakingly arranged in plaster of paris to create the image. The Grand Canal is lined with palazzos, their reflections shown in the water, with the unmistakable arched bridge and a gondola in the center of the composition. The panel is presented in an antique wood frame, assumed to be the original, with a carved inner edge and aged gold finish.
While the panel is not signed, it was created by one of the more skilled Venetian mosaicists as evidenced by the minute size of the glass used and the detailed rendition of the scene.

Condition

The mosaic was scrutinized under magnification and one sliver of glass is missing in the striped awning at the left. Also, the upper right corner of the frame is slightly separating.

Dimensions

Item #

17DCC995-061