Secrets of the Vatican Vintage Visionaries

1950’s Italian micro mosaic ear clips. Yellow roses.
Yellow roses for friendship.

Micro mosaic jewellery can trace its roots back to The Vatican.

The recipe for the minute tesserae, or enamel shards used to make this magnificent jewellery is a closely kept secret in the Holy See.

Centuries ago, in order to preserve the magnificent frescoes, which were sadly deteriorating due to the pervading damp, mosaic techniques were investigated in order to replace the artworks.

28,000 tesserae colours were developed to accurately replicate most of the Basilica paintings. By 1770, nearly all of them had been successfully copied in mosaic.

Even now, tourists visiting St. Peter’s are often oblivious that the artworks they’re viewing are mosaic and not painted.

Decades later, these skills were transferred to those making souvenirs for the noble elite on the Grand Tour. The vignettes were usually of classical subjects, temples, and doves being most popular.

Fast forward to the middle of the last century and micro mosaic jewellery was being produced as gifts for tourists.

You can buy these gorgeous Holy earrings here.