Italian micromosaic of the Colosseum, Roccheggiani

An Italian micromosaic panel of the Roman Colosseum
possibly by Cesare Roccheggiani, Rome
second half 19th century
the panel 10 1/4 x 14 1/4in (26 x 36cm)
Provenance: with G.
Petochi, Rome, 1987.
Property from the Collection of Mary and Lou Silver, Indian Wells, California.

Footnote: Cesare Roccheggiani (fl.1860) hailed from a line of renowned Vatican mosaicists including Antonio Roccheggiani, who participated in the International Exhibitions of London in 1851 and Paris in 1855 and Lorenzo and Nicola Roccheggiani. He was believed to have been apprenticed to maestro Michaelangelo Barberi (1787-1867) and refined his composition skill by copying many of Barberi s designs. Cesare Roccheggiani became the leading supplier of micromosaic works to American and North European visitors on the Grand Tour.
This view of the Colosseum includes the ruins of a conical fountain called the Meta Sudans. Several other versions of the Colosseum are in the books Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, Micromosaics: The Gilbert Collection, 2000, no. 16 p. 68; no. 58 p. 117), and Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, Micromosaics: Private Collections, 2016 (no. 34, p. 72). A circular example, with distinctive malachite border, featuring the same scene characteristics, bearing embossed Roccheggiani atelier inscription was sold Christie s London, 23 February 2006, lot 135.
We would like to thank Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel for her assistance in cataloguing this piece.
www.micro-mosaic.com
Condition Report: Overall 13 1/4 x 17 1/2in. oval 7 3/4 x 11 1/2in. Generally good condition overall. Typical marks, scratches and dirt accumulation. With some fine, tight cracks to malachite rings. Do not glow under black light. Apparently original to piece. Examined under black light. A few minor areas of restoration to tesserae.