Venice Brick

"I stood in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs..." ~ Lord Byron, 1812 The City of Canals, the City of Bridges, the City of Masks... The city of Venice has been known by many names and ruled by many hands. Yet, despite its legendary history at the center of a long-lived republic, the ever-present Adriatic Sea has defined the fortunes of Venice, and it is to those waters that the city may eventually return. This specimen comes from an early 14th-century paving brick uncovered in the Cannaregio sestiere during a recent renovation. It first appeared in the Third Edition of the Mini Museum, and we're pleased to offer the remaining material as a single item. The brick was acquired directly from the architectural firm performing the renovation. We are extremely grateful for Mini Museum Backer N. Lugato's assistance in identifying and securing this specimen so that we can share it with the world. Please Note: Sizes and shapes of this specimen vary widely. Keep in mind it is a 14th-century paving brick so it is a bit fragile. Handle with care. The specimen is enclosed in an acrylic specimen jar with a removable top, which arrives in a handsome, glass-topped riker box case measuring 4x3x1.  A small information card is included, also serving as the certificate of authenticity.