Undertaking a tour of Europe and its great cities and capitals was deemed a necessary education of the young men, and occasionally young women, of means between the 1660-1850. These extended tours took them through the streets of Paris, the forests and cathedrals of Germany, and the canals and ruins of Italy. Often, mementos were purchased along the way to remember and celebrate the tour.
This brooch was likely such a memento. Italian in its craft and motif, this stunning brooch is made of tiny porcelain tiles styled in a mosaic of some of the Italian ruins of the Roman forum.
DETAILS:
14K Gold
Italian c. 1870
Micromosaic depiction of Italian ruins