Walk Through Fire

Antique "Lava" Cameo of Dante Set as a Pendant-Brooch, Naples ca. 1870

€ 489.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Unit price €489.00 / piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Antique "Lava" Cameo of Dante Set as a Pendant-Brooch, Naples ca. 1870

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Every traveller on the Grand Tour reached Naples sooner or later on his journey through Italy. The destination was desirable due to its location on the Gulf, the spectacular view of Mount Vesuvius, the gentle climate, its rugged yet enchanting cityscape and - last but not least - its wealth of immortal art treasures from antiquity. From the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which perished during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, so many spectacular art treasures had already been brought to Naples in the 18th century that the museums here enjoyed world fame. The visit was a mandatory stop in the city. Nor did anyone skip a visit to Pompeii itself, with its macabre allure. No wonder, then, that souvenirs of this trip were not to be missed: a local art industry emerged, producing especially cameos from coral, shells and coloured local varieties of stone, which were sold as "lava" from the volcano. Objects made of this material were particularly appreciated by travellers. We can easily reimagine their fascination: To hold here in our hands a piece of the mountain that had brought such a gruesome end to the life of the Ancient World - but had also made possible its preservation for later generations! What better souvenir is conceivable? This piece of jewellery, which can be worn both as a brooch and as a pendant, presents a cameo of the very same material. We see Dante Alighieri, the poet from Florence, who was to leave his mark on literature forever with his work around 1300, in profile. A laurel wreath, the crown of poets, lies around his head. The stone carving is held by a plain setting of silver. Created in the years around 1870, this piece of jewellery is a very special memorabilia from a trip to Italy in the 19th century. For dating and further information on this type of jewellery, see Charlotte Gere/Judy Rudoe: Jewellery in the Age of Queen Victoria, London: British Museum Press 2010, p. 494.

Size & Details

Walk Through Fire

€ 489.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Unit price €489.00 / piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

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You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

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Walk Through Fire

Pendants

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