Italian Micromosaic American Eagle Patriotic Centennial Brooch. 1 1/2” diameter round, 9.3 dwt (14.5 g.) 14K (un-marked, tested) gold bezel with twisted wire accent. Italian artisans used tiny colored stones, known as terrera (tiles), to create intricately crafted scenes of  Rome, typically ancient buildings or squares.  However, this brooch depicts a lovely American eagle with a red, white and blue shield at its breast, clutching three arrows in one claw and a laurel branch in the other. The eagle is on a black field separated by a fine red line from the outer band of blue, with thirteen stars! These precious souvenirs were designed for Grand Tour travelers of the mid- 18th to late- 19th centuries. Because of the American Patriotic nature of this pin, I believe it was produced around the time of the American Centennial, 1876. The reverse has silver backer panel held within the gold outer work. It has a horizontal pin fastener and has a soldered ring at the pin’s bottom (at the 6 o’clock position). Its purpose was probably to fasten a watch chain from the pin to a lady’s watch pocket on the front of her dress. This lovely brooch has a very unusual American Patriotic design, beautifully executed in micro mosaic. Price: $2,650.00 (ref. A-202)