Antique Victorian lava cameo of Hercules. 19th century Italy. pdvc458

Antique Victorian carved lava cameo in a 14kt yellow gold bezel, converted to a pendant with a gold filled bail and 19" chain. High relief intricately carved. 32mm x 25.5mm. Depicts the mythological Hercules cloaked in a headdress made from the skin of the Nemean lion. The lion's skin was indestructible by any weapon and so, Hercules killed the lion with his bare hands. Subsequently, the mythological hero obtained a cloak made from the lion's skin that was capable of resisting any weapon of his opponent. 19th century Italy. 
This cameo was carved from lava from Mount Vesuvius, near Naples. These cameos were made for jewelry purchased by travelers making a "Grand Tour" of Europe in the mid to late 1800s. Carved lava cameo jewelry were popular souvenirs from Rome and Naples.