Large Antique Italian Micro Mosaic Cross Pendant for a Necklace

Large antique Italian micro mosaic souvenir cross pendant dating to the 1890s. It is covered with hundreds of colorful tesserae arranged in a diverse array of patterns - including spelling out the word, ‘Roma’ for Rome. The four arms of the cross each have a photograph inset of Rome's four Papal Basilicas  - St. Peter's, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. The cross does have a few missing tessera but it is in overall good condition. It is large and measures 5 1/4” long x 3 3/4” wide and could be put on a necklace. These types of crosses were made as souvenirs for tourists in the Victorian era who were making the ‘Grand tour’ of Europe.

Length: 5 1/4 inches

Width: 3 3/4 inches

Material: glass tessera, brass, photographs