French work, second half of the 19th century - Lot 22

French work, second half of the 19th century Micro-mosaic "Colombes s'abreuvant" or "Colombes du Capitole" brooch set in onyx and 750mm yellow gold. Pin in 750mm yellow gold. Diamond hallmark of the Atelier LAFITTE-GOURIET & PLON. Dimensions: 4.9x6cm. P. Gross weight: 36.7 g. This subject depicting Doves was inspired by a Roman mosaic found in Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli during excavations in 1737, now in the collections of the Musée du Capitole. This work is itself a copy of a Greek mosaic by Sôsos of Pergamon, cited by Pliny the Elder in his Natural History. A favorite theme of 19th-century mosaicists, this subject, with its Greek and Roman origins, can be referred to as the "Capitoline Doves" or "Pliny's Doves".