The author has brought together a treasure trove of micromosaics contributed by an international group of private collectors. This scholarly and beautiful art book is illustrated with over two hundred and fifty large, high-resolution color photos of micromosaics, most of them never before published: tables, pictures, miniature plaques, boxes and jewelry. The range of examples from jewelery to pictures to extravagant tabletops will excite every level of collector. In addition, Sotheby’s has generously allowed the author to reprint several essays she wrote for their most important micromosaic sales, including a table which set a world auction record in 2011, selling for almost two million dollars.
The Introduction paints a fascinating picture of the difficulties faced two centuries ago by travelers to Rome. Colorful stories relate how mosaics were acquired by early English, American, Continental and Russian collectors, from young aristocrats on the Grand Tour to powerful monarchs. The influence of Russians as patrons of mosaics is shown to be of particular significance. Historical accounts describe the Vatican Mosaic Workshop and the technique of making mosaics.
Resources previously unavailable have produced an encyclopedic wealth of new research on mosaic artists, making this an essential reference book for dealers and auction houses. An essay on Michelangelo Barberi reveals his long-term romance with a Russian princess. The complete designs from Barberi’s 1856 book are illustrated. Also included are a list of mosaics in the Hermitage and Demidoff collections. Biographies of the most important mosaicists enumerate their known mosaic works. More than two hundred sixty mosaic artists from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are documented. The author has made this book encyclopedic in scope to provide an essential reference for dealers and collectors.

Bruschini Tanca Antiques has had the privilege to provide Mrs. Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel with images of our own micromosaics that will be published in this book and aided with research in the archives of Rome.

The Author: Jeanette Hanisee Gabriele became Assistant Curator of Decorative Arts in charge of the Gilbert Collection of Mosaics at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1988. After leaving the museum she became Arthur Gilbert's private curator in Los Angeles in 1994.  Jeanette Gabriel, who is based in Los Angeles, is Honorary Curator of the Gilbert Collection in London, donated to the British Nation by Sir Arthur Gilbert and officially opened by the Queen Mother in May 2000. Her scholarly publications include: "The Gilbert Collection; Micromosaics" , the worlds most authoritative work on this subject. Jeanette had the honor and privilege of serving as the private curator to Sir Arthur Gilbert, prior to his passing in 2001. He has donated his remarkable and unparalleled collection to the British Nation, assuring his place in art collecting and scholarly history. Jeanette may be reached via email at Jeanettegabriel@aol.com