Consider the Victorian Grand Tour traveler, perhaps a young lady traveling with her chaperone aunt or with her mother - a bride gathering trouseau and souvenirs, or a young couple on their honeymoon on the continent. That is the likely origin of purchase of this charming old colored glass tesserae mosaic and of course the Coliseum was a top architectural wonder, favorite of many. Worked into a basin of black slate or marble, it's been carefully cut and no doubt displayed as a favorite vitrine item, or as a paperweight. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good condition for age and type. The colored glass tesserae are all tightly in place and smooth surfaced and without loss. So many of these will show water stains on the slate (black) basin, but this one has a smooth even mat black surface. Most of these do have some imperfections around the bottom edge, and you'll note a few small chips but not many, not very serious on this one. Nothing to diminish enjoyment for the collector or traveler looking for their own souvenir.
