SW15 Collectables

Description

An amazing gift for a lover of fine wine. This striking and wearable antique brooch depicts a Bacchante - a follower or priestess of Bacchus, Roman god of wine.

A finely carved high-relief oval head-and-shoulders portrait carved in grey-green lava cameo, bezel-set in gold and gilt metal with simple pin and hook fixing. The mount is unmarked - the bezel itself tests gold but is mounted on a gilt-metal frame and the pin is silver - overall 43x33x15mm.

Lava cameos were carved from a piece of Mount Vesuvius lava and collected - either mounted or unmounted - by the fortunate few on a "Grand Tour" visiting Italy and particularly Pompeii in the nineteenth century. From the mount and the carving, I believe this is Georgian around 1820 and was probably set locally.

The lead picture is the best representation of the quality and depth of the carving, but not the colour of the piece

I trade in small silver, jewellery and objets d'art. I sell primarily at antiques fairs and in cabinets in Christique Antique Centre in Dorking. I try to find unusual and interesting stock and like to keep turning it over, so I can buy more. Postage and packing are free within the UK - unless explicitly stated otherwise. All fine jewellery will be supplied with a box. If the box/case is described in the text, it will be the one photographed, but may not be if it is not mentioned explicitly. I keep hardly any stock at home, if you want to buy something and need it urgently, I will usually do it the next day, but it may take me some time to respond if you need extra photographs and/or details about the piece that I do not have to hand, as I typically visit the antiques centre just once a week. If you don't see what you're looking for - feel free to send an enquiry via the site. I have only been able to list a portion of my stock.

I will always mention anything that materially affects the aesthetic or function of a piece, but will not attempt to describe what I consider to be normal for age and use. Please use the photographs as well as you can and I’m always happy to answer specific questions.