AN ITALIAN MICROMOSAIC PLAQUE

The goldfinch is often depicted in Italian renaissance paintings of the Madonna and Child, and so goldfinches were popular subjects among roman mosaicists of the 18th and 19th centuries. The goldfinch represents Christ’s crucifixion. The reason for this association comes from the legend that its red spot was born at the time of the crucifixion. The goldfinch flew down over the head of Christ and was taking a thorn from His crown, when it was splashed with a drop of His blood. For a catalogue note on Giacomo Raffaelli see lot 109.