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Victorian Gold Carved Lava Cameo Brooch
Sold by Corvidae Antique
sold SA1116648
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Corvidae Antique

Corvidae Antique

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2020
Browse dealers 151 items
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Victorian Gold Carved Lava Cameo Brooch

19th century
Sold 15 February 2026 · Corvidae Antique
This “Victorian Gold Carved Lava Cameo Brooch” found a buyer.

It was listed by Corvidae Antique. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

No well-to-do Victorian lady's wardrobe was complete without some type of cameo, an accessory which was popularised when wealthy English people brought them home from Italy as souvenirs of their "Grand Tour", particularly once they became a staple of Queen Victoria's dress.

This is a lovely example of a 19th century lava cameo mounted in gold and depicting a figure sensitively carved in high relief. The gold is unmarked but tests as at least nine-carat.

Lava cameos are simple monochrome cameos carved from pyroclastic or igneous rock and dating back to the 17th century. It’s amazing to think that this material was literally thrown out of an erupting volcano more than a century ago! Lava can be quite brittle and as a result fewer lava cameos survive than others as they can shatter easily if dropped.

SIZE: Approximately 3 x 3.5cm.

WEIGHT: 11.0g.

MATERIALS: Gold, volcanic rock.

HALLMARKS/STAMPS: None found.

CONDITION: The cameo is in very good antique condition with normal surface wear for its age, no chips or cracks found. The back of the setting has a large rip, from the front there is a tiny dent on one edge (around the 11 o'clock position) but overall the piece looks in great condition when worn.

ERA: Estimated Victorian (c.1837-1901).

Physical Dimensions
Height
3.5cm (1.38")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Declaration

Corvidae Antique has dated this Victorian Lava Cameo Brooch to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1116648
Dealers Notes

Antique and vintage boxes photographed are for display only and are not included unless stated in the description.

Please be sure to examine all the photos carefully as they form part of the description, and do feel free to ask if you have any questions, we’re always happy to help where we can!

TO BUY: Scroll down the page to the Buy Now with PayPal button and follow the prompts.

TO ENQUIRE: Please make sure you check your junk mail if you don't receive a reply within 24 hours, we'll always respond to queries!

UK DELIVERY: Free! All items to UK addresses are shipped via Royal Mail Special Delivery.

DELIVERY OUTSIDE THE UK: Free for purchases over £125. For purchases below £125, shipping to addresses outside the UK costs £20. All international deliveries are sent via Royal Mail's Tracked International service.

If you'd like to email us please ensure you have checked your spam/junkmail folder if you have not received a reply within 24 hours. Many thanks! corvidaejewels@gmail.com

Description
No well-to-do Victorian lady's wardrobe was complete without some type of cameo, an accessory which was popularised when wealthy English people brought them home from Italy as souvenirs of their "Grand Tour", particularly once they became a staple of Queen Victoria's dress.
“
This is a lovely example of a 19th century lava cameo mounted in gold and depicting a figure sensitively carved in high relief.
Corvidae Antique

The gold is unmarked but tests as at least nine-carat.

fig 1. An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting.
fig 1. Victorian Gold Carved Lava Cameo Brooch

Lava cameos are simple monochrome cameos carved from pyroclastic or igneous rock and dating back to the 17th century. It’s amazing to think that this material was literally thrown out of an erupting volcano more than a century ago! Lava can be quite brittle and as a result fewer lava cameos survive than others as they can shatter easily if dropped.

fig 2. An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting.
fig 2. Victorian Gold Carved Lava Cameo Brooch

SIZE: Approximately 3 x 3.5cm.

WEIGHT: 11.0g.

MATERIALS: Gold, volcanic rock.

HALLMARKS/STAMPS: None found.

CONDITION: The cameo is in very good antique condition with normal surface wear for its age, no chips or cracks found. The back of the setting has a large rip, from the front there is a tiny dent on one edge (around the 11 o'clock position) but overall the piece looks in great condition when worn.

ERA: Estimated Victorian (c.1837-1901).

Height
3.5cm (1.38")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Date of Manufacture

Corvidae Antique has dated this Victorian Lava Cameo Brooch to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1116648
Corvidae Antique
Corvidae Antique
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2020

Hand picked jewellery from a friendly family business

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Corvidae Antique Profile Page

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An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 12
Archive I An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Victorian Gold Carved Lava Cameo Brooch

Archive II An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View II
Archive III An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting.
Archive V An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View V
Archive VI An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View VI
Archive VII An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View VII
Archive VIII An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View VIII
Archive IX An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View IX
Archive X An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View X
Archive XI An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View XI
Archive XII An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Corvidae Antique

Corvidae Antique
Telephone 0800 195 9895
Location
Stockport
Great Manchester
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/corvidaeantique
Verified Since Mar 2020
Items For Sale 151
Items Sold 803
Corvidae Antique
Corvidae Antique
Verified Since Mar 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Stockport, Great Manchester, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/corvidaeantique
Verified
Mar 2020
For Sale
151
Sold
803
An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting.
Victorian Gold Carved Lava Cameo Brooch
Ref: SA1116648
An oval Victorian brooch featuring a grey carved lava stone relief of a classical figure, enclosed within a plain yellow gold bezel setting.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
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Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBrooches
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialLava stone, Gold
  • ColourGrey and Gold
  • MotifsRelief carving, Classical profile, Bezel setting
  • SizeH 3.5 cm (1 in) x W 3 cm (1 in)

FAQs

Lava cameo brooches are carved pieces of volcanic ash or tufa stone, popular during the 19th century as souvenirs from the Grand Tour of Italy, typically depicting classical mythological figures or profiles.

These items were traditionally crafted from compressed volcanic rock sourced from Mount Vesuvius or Mount Etna, hand-carved into relief designs, and set within gold, gilt metal, or pinchbeck mountings.

Authentic pieces feature fine, matte textures typical of volcanic stone, hand-carved detailing with natural surface variations, and period-appropriate closures such as C-clasps and tube hinges on the reverse.

An antique brooch can be pinned to the lapel of a tailored blazer, fastened at the neckline of a minimalist blouse, or displayed within a glass dome on a mantlepiece as a sculptural objet dart.

Lava stone is porous and soft compared to shell or hardstone; it must be kept dry, cleaned gently with a soft dry brush, and stored away from moisture and harsh chemical ultrasonic cleaners.
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