A gold micromosaic brooch by Castellani,

yellow gold of indented quatrefoil form, the central circular boss decorated with blue,
red and white tesserae depicting the Chi-Rho monogram, with gold stepped
border and beaded edging, with the conjoined 'CC' Castellani mark to the reverse.

Circa 1880

3.7 cm wide

The monogram of the Greek letters Chi and Row was used as a symbol of Christ in
Christian art from the fourth century. Castellani drew on Early Christian mosaics
found in Rome and Ravenna for inspiration.