Europe, Italy, Mount Vesuvius, Neoclassical Period, Grand Tour, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A gorgeous pair of nickel silver bracelets, each bearing 6 cameos of ovoid form sculpted from the lava of Mount Vesuvius in hues of burgundy, black, beige, taupe, caramel, and gray. Fit with a nickel silver border and connected via 2 silver horizontal chain links, each cameo features a profile bust of Classical style, carved in high relief. The first bracelet displays gods, goddesses, and heroes from Classical Mythology, showing, from left to right: Bacchus (Greek Dionysus), Hercules (Greek Herakles), and Minerva (Greek Athena), all alternating with 3 portraits of Diana (Greek Artemis). Conversely, the second bracelet boasts a series of 6 portraits of famous male figures from the Renaissance and Classical Antiquity, showcasing, from left to right: Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael Sanzio da Urbino, Plato, Petrarch, Aristotle, and Dante Alighieri. Size of bracelet (both about the same): 10" L (25.4 cm); Size of cameo (all of similar size): 0.9" W x 1.2" H (2.3 cm x 3 cm)

The Grand Tour was a traditional European trip - a rite of passage - primarily enjoyed by the upper-class from about 1660 until the realization of a large-scale rail system in the 1840s. Although traditionally associated with British nobility and wealthy elite, individuals from Northern European Protestant countries on the Continent also took Grand Tours, and in the second half of the 18th century wealthy individuals from the United States, South America, and other countries overseas took part. In addition, the middle class began to engage on their own journeys once rail and steamship travel made the trip more affordable. The Grand Tour exposed travelers to music, works of art, as well as architectural landmarks. In addition to this education, The Grand Tour provided an opportunity to purchase special souvenirs that were not available in one's home country. Intaglios made from the lava of Mount Vesuvius, such as those found in these examples, were especially popular souvenirs from Italy.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#159443

Both bracelets are wearable. Cameo of Raphael is repaired from a few pieces with break lines and adhesive material visible. Verso of Aristotle is incised with the numbers "20 / 4." Last cameo of Diana and cameo of Dante both have adhesive material visible, suggesting they may have been reattached. Repairs to cameo of Leonardo with break lines visible. Expected nicks, scratches, indentations, abrasions, and some light bending to nickel silver, all commensurate with age and wear. Some minor areas of loss to nickel silver borders on last cameo of Diana and cameo of Petrarch. Otherwise, both bracelets are excellent with impressive preservation of detail on cameos.