Micro Mosaic 'Temple of Vesta' Ring

A single-stone ring featuring an oval micromosaic plaque set in black glass depicting an ancient Greek monument in a slip-frame setting. The light band is simply ornamented at the shoulders with a slightly incurved feature.

The depiction shows the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy (now known as the church of S. Maria della Rotunda). Originally called Tibur, Tivoli was founded five centuries before Rome, and due to its many cascades and waterfalls has been a cool holiday retreat since ancient times. This modest artwork, made into a ring in London, illustrates how tourists bought discrete micro mosaic plaques and carried them home to be mounted in the setting of their choice.