This set of two bracelets is made from different colours of lavastone. The two shoulders of the bracelet terminate in carved lion heads, which hold the fittings of the lotus-shaped clasps in their mouths.
Lava stone is a fairly soft material that can be easily carved. It was found beneath the Vesuvius, the famous volcano that left Pompeii and Herucaleum in ashes in 79 AD.
During the 18th and 19th Century, well to do youngster would do a 'Grand Tour' through Italy as part of their cultural upbringing. These tours could last from several weeks to even a few years. These travellers would often bring Grand Tour souvenirs back home which would remind them of their travels. Especially in Naples, a town near to the Vesuvius, a lot of lava stone jewellery was created to bring home, depicting ancient themes.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: Inner dimensions: 55 x 62 mm for the bracelet with the white clasp, 51 x 61 for the brown clasp.
Weight: 32.35 and 30.80 grams.
Age: 19th Century, Victorian Era, circa 1860s.
Material: The clasps of the bracelets are both hallmarked for 9k gold.
Condition: Both bracelets are in restored condition and display signs of wear. When I sourced these bracelets, each of them was broken: they were restored by my jeweler by adding a peg in each part and adding some adhesive for extra durability. I have included extra pictures that show these repairs on each bracelet. The clasps still work perfectly and shut securely. The bracelet with the white clasp likely originally had a safety chain, of which the bale is still present.
In general, lava stone is a relatively soft material that is susceptible to breaking. These bracelets should therefore be worn and enjoyed with care.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes.