An Italian micromosaic three birds and flowers

An Italian micromosaic panel of three birds within a flower filled basket
late 19th century
the panel height 9in (23cm); width 11 1/2in (29cm)
Provenance: Sold The Collection of Gianni Versace, Sotheby s New York, 5-7 April 2001, lot 139.
Property from the Collection of Mary and Lou Silver, Indian Wells, California.

Footnote: This subject is inspired by an ancient Roman floor mosaic now in the Vatican Museum. Doves are frequently used in micromosaics as symbols of love and fidelity. A table top with this subject is found in the Gilbert Collection (see Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, Micromosaics: The Gilbert Collection, 2000, no.71, p. 133) and on a brooch in a private collection (Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, Micromosaics: Private Collections, 2016, no. 125, p. 215).
We would like to thank Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel for her assistance in cataloguing this piece.
www.micro-mosaic.com
Condition Report: With old sale labels to back. Very fine and varied tesserae. Panel in good overall condition. Examined under black light. A few scattered very minor areas of restoration in composition. With a small area on left side near upper green leaf on back ground which may be a restoration. Overall with frame 12 1/2 x 15 1/4in.