X282: Set of mosaic glass jewellery
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© The Holburne Museum of Art, Bath
| Museum number | X282 |
| Title | Set of mosaic glass jewellery |
| Additional title | None |
| Object type | In category: Jewellery » Set |
| Date | Between 1820 and 1830 |
| People |
Unknown - Jeweller(s) |
| Place of origin | Europe » Southern Europe » Italy » Italy |
| Condition |
Good |
| Materials & techniques |
In categories: Glass Metal » Gold |
| Components | X282.1 X282.2 X282.3 |
| Description |
Jewellery set consisting of a bracelet, a pendant or brooch and a pair of earrings. Made from polished fragments of brightly coloured ancient Roman mosaic glass in gold mounts with twisted wirework edging. In a rectangular red-leather case with fitted interior lined with cream silk. |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Notes | This set of jewellery was probably made in Italy as a souvenir for tourists on the Grand Tour. It incorporates fragments of ancient Roman mosaic glass that have been ground into shape and polished. Their reverse sides are unpolished and display the iridescence characteristic of glass that has been buried in the ground for considerable time. Mosaic glass was a Roman luxury made by fusing rods of different coloured glass together to form elaborate patterns. The gold mounts with their twisted wirework were probably intended to evoke ancient Roman jewellery. There are two further sets of mosaic glass jewellery in the collection each similarly consisting of a bracelet, brooch or pendant and earrings (F283, A284). It is possible that they were acquired by Holburne – perhaps for his three sisters - while in Italy in 1824-5. The set is housed in its original fitted leather case. |
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| Muse theme | The History of the Holburne Collection |
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| Muse chapter |
The History of the Holburne Collection » Sir William Holburne and his Collection » Establishing taste: Sir William' s Grand Tour, 1824-5
The History of the Holburne Collection » The Collection » Antiquities The History of the Holburne Collection » The Collection » Gems and Jewels |
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| Gallery Label |
BRACELET, EARRINGS AND CROSS in a case Specimens of antique Roman millefiori glass, set in 19th century gilt mountsX282 (Unknown) 15-5-1993 |
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| Method of acquisition | Bequest | ||||||
| Provenance | Thomas William Holburne (1793-1874); by whom bequeathed to Mary Anne Barbara Holburne (1802-1882), by whom bequeathed to the Museum |
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| Exhibition history |
Title of exhibition: Holburne One hundred: an exhibition to commemorate the Centenary of the Museum's opening and the Bicentenary of Sir William Holburne's birth Title of exhibition: Town House Treasures; Sir Thomas William Holburne of Bath |
