A breathtaking hand carved high relief lava cameo in 14k yellow gold brooch / FOB. From the mid 1800s. The brooch depicts the Greek god of fertility and wine Dionysus (or his successor Roman god Bacchus). This brooch/ FOB shows exceptionally fine quality carving, one of the most beautiful we've seen. There is a defect, a chip on the right side tip of the nose, the chip is not necessarily very visible without close observation (please see photos). Original c catch and FOB findings

Gold: tested 14k gold

Measurements: 1 3/4" x 1 3/8" (45mm x 35mm)

Total Weight: 23.1g

Hallmarks: unmarked, tested 14k gold

A little bit on the history, these lava carvings became extremely popular the second half 18th -19th centuries fist after the excavation of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 1748, cities buried in 79AD by eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Travelers on the Grand Tour of Europe brought these back as souvenirs. At was thought that pinning a lava cameo to ones clothes showed the owner to be a well - cultured traveler and was considered to be in good taste. We see a variety of these brooches that made it to us today, this particular one is a finer quality example

SKU: JA3951