Italian Journey

Large Cufflinks with Lava Cameos Set in Gold, c. 1870 & Later


€ 980.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Large Cufflinks with Lava Cameos Set in Gold, c. 1870 & Later
Large Cufflinks with Lava Cameos Set in Gold, c. 1870 & Later
Description
This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!
"Vesuvius always remained to our left, steaming violently, and I was quietly pleased for myself that I finally saw this strange object with my eyes. The sky became clearer and clearer, and at last the sun shone quite hotly into our narrow rolling apartment. In an atmosphere of pure light we approached Naples; and now we really found ourselves in another country." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Italian Journey, February 25, 1787 The present cameos, most probably created around 1870 in the Bay of Naples, each show a philosopher of antiquity in profile. The portraits of the bearded, bare-headed men are carved in so-called "Vesuvius lava". In fact, this is not cooled lava from the volcano, but sedimentary rock that was quarried in the region around Naples in various shades of color. However, as most travelers to Italy in the 19th century were fascinated by the tragic history of Pompeii, the name "Vesuvius lava" proved to be a clever trick - sonorous and sales-promoting. The cameos are set in simple gold frames that make them wearable as cufflinks. These settings were created around a century after the cameos themselves, which were probably once part of a necklace or bracelet. This expressive pair came to us in Berlin - a piece of jewelry that not only combines past and present, but also Germany and Italy. The bars of the buttons bear a German gold stamp that seals this charming connection.
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Size & Details
Large Cufflinks with Lava Cameos Set in Gold, c. 1870 & Later
Italian Journey
€ 980.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Our Promise
Our Promise
Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

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.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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