C19th Italian Neapolitan ‘Grand Tour’ Souvenir Carved ‘Prato Verde’ Marble Inkstand Set with Carved Lava Portrait Cameo Intaglios .

C19th Italian Neapolitan ‘Grand Tour’ souvenir carved ‘prato verde’ marble inkstand set with carved lava portrait cameo intaglios.

The two-piece carved ‘prato verde’ or ‘Serpentina Moschinata’ marble circular inkstand with a gadrooned carved base , fitted with a selection of inset gilt-brass mounted glass inkwells, quill-holders and pounce pots (one glass bottle broken) .

The lift-off carved marble lid with divided sections mounted with 6 carved coloured lava cameo portrait intaglios of classical women , a carved marble knop handle to the centre mounted with a further carved lava cameo portrait. The 7 individually coloured lava stone cameo intaglios each set within an oval gilded brass surround.

In excellent original condition with no breaks, damage or losses to the marble or lava stone carved intaglios.

Marble inkstands of this type were produced in the Naples area of Italy as souvenirs to sell to wealthy tourists completing the ‘Grand Tour’ of the sights and sites of classical Italy and Europe.

The cameo portrait intaglios having been carved from the resulting lava flow residue caused by the eruptions of the volcanic Mount Vesuvius, the varying colours achieved by the oxidisation and crystallised nature of the cooled minerals.

* an almost identical marble inkstand , mounted with carved lava male portrait intaglio subjects , sold Christie’s , London , Sale no.7574 , Lot no. 116 , 24/04/2008 £5000

H 4.5”

W 6”

D 6”

Italy , Naples c.1850

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