Florence, Italy, c. 1910

A very fine antique pietra dura plaque of a man shaving by Giovanni Montelatici, c. 1910. 

This popular image is based on the painting “La barba del nonno” by Pompeo Massani. The quality of the mosaic work in this plaque is particularly good, with a very fine balance of colours and a great amount of finely detailed arrangements in rendering the leathery feel of the old grandfather’s face. 

It has been reframed recently and now looks superb. It is signed G Montelatici just below the shaving bowl on the left hand side.