Porphyry and gold snuff box set with micromosaic plaques. Italian, 18th cen

A porphyry and gold snuff box set with micromosaic plaques.

Italian, late 18th century.

The box measures 7.8cm in diameter x 3.1cm high.

The micromosaics each measure approximately 6.9cm in diameter.

The box is made from Egyptian porphyry, a material highly prized by the Ancient Romans and mounted in vari-coloured gold. Each side of the box is set with a round micromosaic butterfly and the doves of Pliny (also known as the Capitoline doves).

The micromosaics are attributable to the work of Giacomo Raffaelli (c.1753-1836). The similarities with the master mosaicists work are startlingly close and each micromosaic could bear signatures attesting to his hand on the reverse although neither have been removed from the box to check.

A remarkably similar micromosaic of a butterfly by Giacomo Raffaelli, signed and dated c.1787 was sold by Christie’s, London; ‘The Collector: European and English 18th and 19th Century Furniture and Works of Art, Silver, Ceramics and Gold Boxes’, 15th July 2020, Lot 109.

Another micromosaic of Pliny’s Doves by Giacomo Raffaelli, signed and dated c.1793 was sold by Christie’s, London; ‘Centuries of Style: Silver, European Ceramics, Portrait Miniatures and Gold Boxes’, 27-28th November 2012, Lot 525.