Gold Ring With Micromosaic, Rome, Late 18th Century, Attributed To Giacomo Raffaelli

The ring features an exquisite oval micromosaic depicting a fasces with axe, an ancient Roman symbol of civic authority and power. The minute glass tesserae are laid with remarkable precision against a light background and framed by a geometric border of red and black dots, a hallmark of Giacomo Raffaelli’s workshop. The yellow gold mount, with elegantly shaped shoulders, enhances the prestige of the piece.
The execution quality – evident in the density of the tesserae and the naturalistic rendering of details – allows attribution to the workshop of Giacomo Raffaelli (1753–1836), the foremost master of Roman micromosaic. The neoclassical subject perfectly reflects the cultural climate of the Grand Tour, when such jewels were sought after by travelers and collectors as tangible reminders of the grandeur of ancient Rome.