Micromosaic Plaque Depicting The Apollo Belvedere, Rome, Late 18th Early 19th Century

A monochrome micromosaic (grisaille) executed with very fine tesserae on a dark background, depicting the bust of the Apollo Belvedere in profile, facing right.
The small, octagonal plaque is housed in its elegant leather case, lined with purple velvet.
The subject, inspired by the famous antique marble statue in the Vatican Museums, was one of the most admired models of classicism and neoclassical taste, becoming the emblem of the ideal of masculine and divine beauty.
The monochrome treatment, achieved through subtle variations of neutral and warm tones, is of great finesse: micromosaics executed in grisaille are indeed extremely rare, the result of an aesthetic quest to evoke the effect of sculpted relief rather than that of painting.
Virtuosically crafted in Roman workshops towards the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, this micromosaic testifies to the production intended for the international collectors of the Grand Tour.
With its high-quality craftsmanship and understated palette, this plaque would be ideally suited to be mounted in gold as a pendant or refined brooch, thus regaining the character of a precious neoclassical jewel.

H. 2.8 x W. 1.8 cm.