Minature oil Portrait by "MELLOCHI"

[nb...@gulftel.com]

Minature oil portrait by "MELLOCHI" on Ivory. Help need to locate information about an artist who
painted in oils on Ivory named "Melloci" and perhaps painted in Florence, Italy. The oil is 3 1/2 X 4
1/2, the subject is a beautiful lady, painted from the waist up, her breasts are bare but she has fabric
draped in her lap and accross her shoulders, there is a black snake twined around her necklace
around her neck and the snake appears to be alive. Background has a small castle, some water in the
distance and clouds many colored with a black cloud behind her face. Some trees, bare and painted
black. This oil is truly surperb and am interested in finding out about the artist and perhaps if there is
any value to the minature. Thank you for your help, Nancy, USA