Since the 1920s, it had rested above a mantel in the residence of a Tampa businessman. When the home was sold in the 1980s, the buyer was given the option of purchasing some of the existing furnishings, including the micromosaic.
While unsigned, the auctioneers believe it is almost certainly the work of Cesare Roccheggiani, who was active at the Vatican workshops from 1856 to 1864. An 1879 micromosaic of near identical size and subject matter signed by Rocchegiani was sold by Christie's King Street in December.
The new discovery carries a $100,000-200,000 estimate.
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