During the 18th and early 19th centuries, English gentlemen were sent to Europe to study the classical cultures–particularly to Italy. These aristocratic families bought paintings, furniture, jewelry, antiquities and brought these collections back to England to furnish and decorate their lavish country estates and beautiful London homes. My great grandfather bought a set of lava cameos, carved with recognizable profiles of DaVinci, Dante, Michelangelo, etc.. My grandmother inherited the set and kept it in a box which she bought in a London important shop about 1890. The set includes a large necklace, a choker (currently being worn by my wife’s mother in Boston–only temporary!), a bracelet, and three pins, and a beautiful ring. I thought my readers would like to see this bit of English history and items which remind us of a bygone era.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
