Beautiful mid 1800s Victorian lava cameo brooch. Set in gilt metal. Apparently unmarked. Made in Italy.
Good condition, setting with wear.
Size: 34mm
Weight: 6.9gram
"During the 19th century, colored lava excavated at an archaeological dig at Pompeii was used to make highly detailed, three-dimensional carvings. That’s where many of the women who were traveling to Italy for their Grand Tour picked up their lava cameos. More than a perfectly portable souvenir, these lava cameos became status symbols, proving that a woman had indeed traveled abroad."
