We are traveling to Rome in a couple of weeks and I would love to visit an art gallery or two where I can buy a wall-mountable/hangable mosaic. Anyone know where? It will need to be a business that is willing to ship items to the USA. Thanks!
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
There was a place right outside of St Peter's Square. I assume it's still there. If you stand with your back to the Basilica, I seem to remember that it's on the right-hand side of the street, near the corner, just across the street from the Square. I believe it sells some work from the Vatican workshops. FYI, it's a fine arts gallery, with pieces in the many hundreds to many thousands of dollars -- if that's what you had in mind.
I'd suggest doing a little searching on the Internet. You should be able to find a number of galleries.
If you will be in Florence, I saw more mosaic work for sale there than in Rome.
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
I can't help you in Rome, but I had a similar desire when I was in Sicily a year ago. There were a couple of small mosaic workshops in Monreale, right near the cathedral with famous and ancient mosaics. Artisans from the workshops often did needed repairs in the cathedral, as well as doing smaller pieces. The designs were varied, very intricate, and expensive. I did end up choosing a very small piece that I liked and still like very much, only about 2 by 3 inches, for about €65. It must contain at least 300 little pieces, maybe more. I have it on the windowsill right by my easy chair, and look at it daily, including right this minute. Italian mosaics are just gorgeous, especially in Sicily and in Ravenna. At the Duomo Museum in Orvieto, there are ancient mosaics displayed at the height of your face, so you can get very up close and personal.