Work from the second half of the 19th century - Lot 9

Work from the second half of the 19th century Brooch-Pendant "Colombes s'abreuvant" known as "Colombes du Capitole" in micro-mosaic on an onyx ground, the setting in yellow gold 750‰. Pin in yellow gold 750‰. Dimensions: 4.4x5.3cm. P. Gross: 26.5g. (Misses, knocks and dents). 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".