Imagine the magnificent floor mosaics of Ancient Rome—one of the most enduring forms of Roman art—now scaled down to fit in the palm of your hand. This is the essence of micro mosaic, an art form that emerged in the late 18th century out of necessity and evolved into a flourishing Italian industry.
To uncover the history of micro mosaics, we must look back to the 18th century, when large-scale mosaics, once widely celebrated in Ancient Rome, had fallen out of favor. By then, mosaics were primarily used to adorn Rome’s religious buildings, most notably St. Peter’s Basilica, which boasts over 10,000 square meters of mosaic work. The artisans responsible for crafting and maintaining these masterpieces faced dwindling commissions. Employed by the Studio del Mosaico della Fabbrica della Basilica di San Pietro—later known as the Vatican Mosaic Workshop—they turned to creating miniature versions of their mosaics to sell to private collectors.
Each micro mosaic was meticulously composed by hand using tiny pieces of opaque glass or enamel, called tesserae, arranged to form intricate images. Despite their diminutive size, often just a few inches across, these portable masterpieces showcased remarkable craftsmanship. Their popularity surged with the rise of the Grand Tour, a cultural journey undertaken by aristocratic young men eager to experience Italy’s history and artistic heritage. A micro mosaic became the ultimate keepsake, capturing the grandeur of Italian artistry in miniature.
Though this ancient craft nearly faded into obscurity by the early 20th century, it is remarkable to see that micro mosaics not only survived but continue to thrive today, preserving Italy’s rich artistic legacy for new generations.
At My Italian Decor we work with a fourth generation, family-owned workshop in Florence known for their intricate work. We are proud to carry a selection of Pendants, Earrings, and Crosses.
Watch a video on how these beautiful pieces of art are made.
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