Curly-Haired Youth

Antique Pin With "Lava" Cameo in Gold, Probably Naples, Circa 1830

€ 498.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Antique Pin With "Lava" Cameo in Gold, Probably Naples, Circa 1830

Description

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

Which traveler to Italy is not familiar with the rich displays of Italian jewelers in cities such as Venice, Florence or Rome? Even in earlier times, cameos were always part of the offer, as the art of cameo cutter was in its heyday in Italy in the 19th century. In the Bay of Naples, talented craftsmen carved classic motifs into rosy shells. Coral was also used to keep the memory of the Mediterranean alive. The material from which the cameo on this pin is made is more unusual. This is because it is no longer used today: Local stone varieties that conjure up a rich imagery under the name "Vesuvius lava". In the 18th century, so many spectacular art treasures were brought to Naples from the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which perished in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, that the museums here enjoyed worldwide fame. Visiting them was a must in the city. No one missed out on a visit to Pompeii itself with its macabre charm. So what better way to commemorate this trip than with a piece of jewellery featuring antique cameos from the cooled lava of the dreaded Vesuvius? The pin shows the head of a young man. In his curly hair, he wears a wreath of rose petals and vine leaves, as were often used at bacchanalia, the ancient festivals of Bacchus, the god of wine. The cameo is set in slightly reddish gold. A hallmark on the front suggests that the pin was created around 1830 in what was then the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The design and workmanship of the piece are consistent with this date.

Size & Details

Curly-Haired Youth

€ 498.00 ^*

Content 1 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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