A 19th Century Micromosaic Gold Box
A 19th Century Micromosaic Gold Box
Paris, 1809-1819
Goldsmith mark of Nicolas Lecoufle
Mosaic by Francesco de Poletti
Weight: 288 g
Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 cm
The mosaic depicts the Three Fates and Father Time framed with a string of rubies and mounted of a frieze of pearls, bluebells and foliate cast and applied decoration. The sides of the box decoration in a similar frieze together with another frieze of triumphant palms.
The reverse of the box with and incredible plaque depicting an altar on a pedestal foot with abundant fruit, insects and foliate scrolls.
This incredible box has a mosaic by Francesco de Poletti (1779-1854), one of the most important of the Roman micromosaicists. He was active during the first half of the nineteenth century. He had his workshop in via Condotti 32 and was a restorer of Etruscan vases (Petochi 1981, 56). In 1824 he weas invited to go to Naples to establish a school for mosaics similar to that of the Vatican. While this project did not come to fruition, Depoletti profited from the Neapolitan sojourn by studying with Giovanni Cresceni, a celebrated restorer of ceramics. When he returned to Rome, Depoletti later gained international renown as a restorer of Etruscan vases.
Lecoufle maker of boxes and small objects in gold and silverplate, working in Paris at 242 rue St-Denis. He registered marks in 1809, 1811-1812, and 12 December 1823, erased 1 September 1831. He died 31 July 1830. Lecoufle’s widow, Catherine-Marie-Flor Torlet carried on the business at the same address, registering her mark 7 September 1831, erased 3 March 1837.
You May Also Like
A Historically Important Silver-Gilt Tray
Philip Rundell
An Important Set of Four Silver-Gilt Royal Candlesticks
Paul Storr
An Exceptional Pair of English Regency Silver-Gilt Wine Coasters
Paul Storr
Louis XV enamelled gold mounted cornelian oval box