Italian, circa 1820

The rose gold bracelet is bezel-set with seven exquisitely carved in high relief cameos from Mount Vesuvius lavas. The cameos feature deities (Athens, Hercules, Dionysus) and famous philosophers and historical figures of the ancient Greco-Roman world. Usually lava cameos are found in 3-4 colors. This bracelet has seven colors of the Vesuvian lavas: light olive, beige, bluish gray, dark olive, white, golden beige, and black.

The cameos are in excellent condition for their age: no chips, details are sharp, no wear to the highest points. The gold setting and clasp has some minor old repairs.

The highly artistic quality of carvings and diversity of subjects of these early lava cameos are far superior to the later lava cameos from the mid 1800s.

Marked on clasp with an unidentified gold mark.

Length is 168 mm (6 1/2 in.)