Huge antique Italian 11.5" tall micro mosaic cross or crucifix, bronze with silver or nickel plated finish with fantastic figural inlays including doves & flowers, a Grand Tour style souvenir of Rome! Near perfectly preserved, not a single tiny colored glass tesserae loose or missing from this large souvenir of someone's c.1880-1910 visit to Rome. The cruciform or crucifix form is a sturdy 1/4" deep silvered metal basin into which the artisan has worked, and more than 100 years later, it holds the art perfectly. The ascending white dove represents Christ, of course, and a 2nd teal-backed mosaic carries the theme. The 4 outer quatrefoil or trefoil shaped micro mosaics each have two doves surrounded by flowers & foliage. A beautiful and rare, larger piece!
Very good to excellent condition, not a single flaw to note in all the mosaic work. Some wear to the silver or nickel plating, the yellow/gold of the bronze showing. Displays beautifully! Vibrant colored glass in tiny bits laid entirely by hand into place to create each scene, it's rare to find these complete and undamaged. Also more rare in these larger sized ones. Hanging loop remains up top. See pictures for all measurements.
