SICIS Jewels Unique

06 07 Until the XVIII century, the mosaics were realized with the technique of cut enamel, founded on the fragility of the same. The enamel in the form of a compact circular bread was placed on the chisel, a small cutting edge anvil, and then beaten with four hammer blows. In doing so, quite regular fractures were obtained, in turn, that supplied pieces of quadrangular enamel, progressively reduced to the desired shape. In the second half of the ‘700, with the invention of the spinning of the glass paste, it was possible to create infinitely smaller tesserae. The micromosaic took origin from this incredible technical evolution. The pieces of enamel were melted over a flame and reduced long thin rods. With the use of pliers and files, from chopsticks, the artist drew little pieces which possibly he could modify with a grinding wheel. After, a further invention came, the “malmischiati”. For the first time, more color tones were mingled, resulting from endless shades of the same card, capable of revealing the most subtle shifts of light. The color palette became so unlimited, up to ten thousand of different shades, and the mosaic could imitate and perfectly replace paintings. Soon, given the sophistication and virtuosity that these new techniques were able to give, the micromosaic was used in the decoration of everyday objects, special accessories and in real jewels its highest expression. Queens and nobility were soon fascinated by the rare beauty of these precious and unique pieces, so we find, in ancient Europe and Russia, entire collections of micromosaic jewelry, which we can still admire at the Hermitage or in the Vatican Museums. And it is from this ancient tradition that the inspiration of the Masters of micromosaic Atelier Sicis comes.