A FINE AND LARGE ITALIAN MOSAIC, MICROMOSAIC AND BLOWN GLASS MIRROR VENICE, LATE 19TH CENTURY, ATTRIBUTED TO SALVIATI & C.

inlaid with numerous floral sprays and garlands in a multitude of colors on a gold mosaic ground, four masks at the corners, the foliate spandrels surrounding the oval plate inlaid on a deep blue mosaic ground, the crest inlaid with the Lion of Saint Mark, the lower edge bearing inlaid banner "Venezia", the edges all applied with blown glass scrolls and flowerheads.

By repute purchased at the 1900 Exposition Universelle, Paris, for Don Ignacio Herrero's family residence in Madrid on Amador de los Rios Street (since 1939 Spain’s Interior Ministry).
Herero family, until 2010.
Private collection, Spain.

[Royal Commission] Reports of the Vienna Universal Exhibition of 1873, part III, pp.186-192 (for a discussion of Salviati's mosaic technique and display at the 1873 Vienna Exhibition).

The impressive scale, intricacy and appearance of this mirror cannot be fully appreciated unless it is viewed in person - it measures over seven feet tall. Given its highly fragile nature, it is in very good condition. Almost all of the mosaic is present, intact and stable, though one or two of the larger gold tesserae are missing, and the loss of a very few micromosaic tesserae is to be expected (though not immdediately apparent). Several of the blown glass elements do have chips, and there are a few losses, for example at the lower left edge toward the corner, and some of the glass 'leaves' at the top and elsewhere. Some of the glass molding edges are also cracked, and one 5 inch sprial fluted piece appears to be a replacement (near the upper right spandral). There are several white paint drips on the wooden sides of the mirror, and also a few scuffs and marks consistent with age.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

“In mirrors and chandeliers the display of Dr. Salviati’s was most striking; one large chandelier large enough for the Imperial Opera House was the most gorgeous display of crystal and coloured glass ever seen. The mirrors of beautiful Venetian cut plate bordered with frames of elegant foliage in pinched glass were fit for the boudoirs of queens”. (op. cit. p.189)

Antonio Salviati (1819-1890) led the revival of blown and mosaic glass in Venice in the second half of the 19^th century. Inspired by his work on the restoration of the mosaics at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Venice, Salviati opened his first glass business in 1859 together with the expert glass technician Lorenzo Radi. Having gone through various iterations, his firm by the end of the century held significant international recognition. In England they occupied impressive showrooms in the most fashionable parts of London and produced mosaics for Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, the Albert Memorial in Kensington and the Albert Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle. The United States has always been a privileged market for the Salviati firm, and it produced in 1901 what was the largest mosaic in America, at Stanford University Memorial Church. His memorial portraits of Presidents Garfield and Lincoln are in the U.S. Senate Collection, Washington D.C.

The mosaic workshop was founded by inviting the mosaic artist, Enrico Podio, from Rome. He came from a family specialising in mosaic and micro-mosaic work. The most famous member of the family was Luigi Podio who had made miniature micro-mosaics for the renowned Roman goldsmith, Pio Castellani as well as for his children and heirs, Alessandro and Augusto. The latter were all creators of beautiful pieces of jewellery in archaeological style as well as being collectors and antique dealers in their own right. The Castellani family enjoyed a close friendship and professional relationship with Salviati and Alessandro Castellani was Salviati's consultant on ancient glass-making techniques.

The firm exhibited all manner of chandeliers, plaques, mirrors, and tabletop articles in blown, chalcedony, and mosaic glass at all the major International Exhibitions; their numerous awards include a Gold Medal in Paris 1867, a Grand Medal of Honour in London 1869; and 13 medals at the International Exhibition in Vienna 1873.  

The present mirror bears close comparison with another mirror by Salviati, now in the Tragor Ignác Museum, Vác, Hungary. The present mirror has floral designs that are more elaborate than those on the Tragor Ignác mirror, and clearly the crest on the Tragor Ignác mirror depicts the Rialto Bridge rather than the Lion of St Mark. A smaller Venetian mirror, of different form but also floral and pictorial micromosaic, was sold Christie's London, April 29 2010, lot 265 ($63,832).