Gold ring set with a micromosaic of the Doves of Pliny. Italian, c.1800.

A high carat gold ring set with a micromosaic of the Doves of Pliny.

The mosaic is Italian, early 19th century, the ring is later.

The mosaic measures 2.1 x 1.8cm, ring size P 1/2 UK / 8 US.

The subject of the Doves of Pliny became very popular following the discovery of a Roman floor mosaic in 1737 at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, which in turn is believed to be a copy of a lost ancient Greek mosaic at Pergamon.