Monday, May 14, 2012

Mastery of Design: The Gilbert Micromosaic Ring, 1870



Ring of Gold with Micromosaic Insets
Italy, c. 1870
The Gilbert Collection
The Victoria & Albert Museum


In the 1870s European jewelers looked to antiquities for inspiration.  Most famously, the Italian firm of Castellani farmed Italy’s many centuries of artistic excellence to find new ways to create handsome jewels.  During this time, Italy was finding a new European market for their exquisite micromosaics.  This art-form, long a favorite souvenir for tourists, found its onto all manner of decorative objects and jewels.

This gold and micromosaic ring with a depiction of an archaic mask was made  in Italy in the 1870s and though similar to the work of Castellani was most likely not made by the firm.  Hence, the artist is unknown.  The ring, one piece of an impressive matching parure,  is part of the monumental collection of gold, jewels, and other decorative objects amassed by Sir Arthur and Rosalinde Gilbert.



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