A spectacular find, rare large mid-1800s Victorian era Grand Tour souvenir calling card tray has 8 round architectural views and a larger center oval view of architectural icons of Venice, Italy. Back-painted glass (eglomise) items like these were a product of industry in France, and far more typically will show scenes of Paris. Some were made for other tourist-favored cities like London, or smaller cities in France, and it's such a fun collectible. Very few are of cities in Italy, and it's also rare to find a complete c.1850s eglomise item without any breaks or losses of the small paintings. Photos show all angles of view.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Oversized by comparison to others we've had, so quite impressive. The little back-painted glass scenes are set into pressed brass framework, raised on heavy brass wire legs and with both handles still present, and not a single one of the 9 is chipped or broken or missing paint. Backed with card, visible from back, the remainder of a tax stamp still on back. Age and patina to the pressed brass framework, a bend or two, and I have not polished nor tried to gently use pliers to straighten out a bend or two, will leave that decision to next owner. Full measurements noted on the photos.
