The four black, gray, taupe and white oval lava cameos depicting various female figures of Antiquity, framed by ropetwist and accented by textured leaves, and joined to twin fine linking chains, in 14k gold, length 8 1/4 inches

Dimensions: width 35 mm
Conventionally called "lava", the cameos are carved from a natural mudstone, found in the area around Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy. The cameos were often purchased by travellers on the "grand tour" in the 19th Century, when visiting the recently re-discovered and excavated cities that were destroyed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.
Good overall condition, with typical signs of age and a small chip on the gray cameo

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Condition reports are provided as a courtesy to clients and are a qualified subjective opinion only. All items are sold ‘as is’.