Victorian lava cameo brooch, silver

A very finely carved antique, Victorian era lava cameo brooch.

The cameo is a portrait cameo depicting a classic maiden with ringlet hair.

Made from lava cameo which is not actually made from lava but of one of a few different types of rock, the name lava cameo was given to the Jewellery as a promotional tool by the Italian carvers and creators.

They were considered a piece for the well travelled and bought the wearer a sense of well accepted wanderlust, one must be well off to afford such luxury travel to all corners of the globe, they were as much about the beauty and craftsmanship as they were about social status.

This cameo is very well carved, it has a matte brown finish and is housed within an unmarked sterling silver frame which has been tested.

The clasp has been replaced, the pin is made from base metal and protrudes fairly far from the brooch.

Condition:
Good condition overall with age related use, light patina to the silver, replacement clasp, some light surface wear under loupe.

Approx measurements:
1.5" length
1.25" width with pin
0.5" depth

Any questions please contact us. 

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING.