| Description
A circular micromosaic tabletop
with a central round view of the domed Basilica at the far end of
a square bordered by two curved colonnades, the scene framed with
a Greek-key pattern border and surrounded by twelve more rectilinear
scenes of ancient Roman structures. The table's gilt
border is carved on top with double rows of egg-and-dart pattern,
and fluted on the sides between
four rosettes. The parcel-gilt,
pedestal base is composed of three intertwined dolphins, their heads
resting upon a tripod plinth with scrolling acanthus
feet.
Commentary
Most popular of all subject matter in micromosaics were the Italian
monuments, several of which are magnificently executed on this tabletop.
In the centre is an aerial view of St. Peter's Basilica and Square,
with the outstretched arms of the elliptical colonnades designed
by Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680).
Clockwise around the table border starting
at one o'clock are views of the Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli, the
Forum of Nerva or Transitorium with portico and relief of Minerva,
the Forum of Augustus, the Arch of Janus Quadrifrons, the Pantheon,
the Colosseum, the Temple of Vesta, the Arch of Titus, the Temple
of Vespasian in the Roman Forum, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina,
the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the Capitoline Hill.
Taken from engravings, these images of
monuments contain certain anachronisms. The Colosseum, for example,
is shown before its restoration began in 1805, while the Pantheon
is depicted without its bell towers, which were removed in 1882.
Glossaries
micromosaics - made from
thousands of tiny coloured enamel rods, painstakingly assembled
and secured with a slow drying adhesive
gilt, gilding - the embellishment of silver, bronze or
other material with a thin layer of gold
fluted - decorated with a series of concave, parallel grooves
running vertically, derived from the decoration of columns in classical
architecture
parcel-gilt - silver that is gilded in some areas but not
in others
acanthus - a representation of the leaves of the acanthus
plant
back to the
collection
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the
Gilbert silver