A Silver-Gilt Mounted Ebonised Casket inset with a Micromosaic Roundel
The Micromosaic by Poggioli, Italy
The Silver-Gilt Mounts by William Neal, London, 1849
The Silver-Gilt Mounts by William Neal, London, 1849
The micromosaic roundel depicting a floral bouquet issuing from a woven basket, signed on verso Poggioli, the interior fitted with two silver-gilt topped glass bottles, the silver-gilt stamped with the firm's mark
4 ¾ in (12 cm) high, 6 7/8 in (17.4 cm) wide, 4 3/8 in (11 cm) deep
4 ¾ in (12 cm) high, 6 7/8 in (17.4 cm) wide, 4 3/8 in (11 cm) deep
Little is known about Poggioli, except that he is mentioned by Moroni in 1847 as one of the mosaicists who had a studio in Rome for executing works in miniature. Other works by Poggioli, including a large mosaic tabletop in the Gilbert Collection, can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
William Neal, whose business was W. & G. Neal, specialised in the manufacture of gold and silver mounts for dressing cases and boxes. His firm supplied the retailers Asprey & Co, Thornhill and many others.
William Neal, whose business was W. & G. Neal, specialised in the manufacture of gold and silver mounts for dressing cases and boxes. His firm supplied the retailers Asprey & Co, Thornhill and many others.
