SOLD Antique 18K & Carved Lava Cameo Buckle/Slide

Travelers on the Grand Tour of Europe found the newly excavated ruins of Pompeii to be an irresistible stop. Lava trinkets from these sites made for excellent and inexpensive souvenirs, easy to pack and carry. In addition, pinning a lava cameo on ones’ blouse proved the wearer to be a well-traveled person of culture and good taste. The local industry was equal to the demand and created many cameos and intaglios out of this unlikely material to the unending delight of the tourists. These beautiful carvings were set into rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Subject matter included archaeological motifs, statesmen,  bacchantes, satyrs, portraits and mythological gods and creatures. https://www.langantiques.com/university/lava-jewelry/

This large carved lava cameo buckle or slide has the likeness of what is possibly Alexander The Great, a famous king of Macedon who ruled in Ancient Greece. With flowing locks and set curls, he wears a forbidding look upon his face and a crown on his head. Laurel sprigs wreath his bust, while an18 karat yellow gold Etruscan Revival frame holds the cameo. Rather than a pin on the reverse, we find a band of gold, suitable for sliding on a belt or scarf, but it can certainly be pinned onto a garment from inside. A magnificent piece to wear with grandeur and aplomb, it is suitable for any sex, and would be just smashing in lieu of a boutonniere!