AN UNUSUAL AND ESPECIALLY LOVELY pair of carved lava shell earrings that were undoubtably a souvenir of someone's Grand Tour. The tour typically began in Dover, England and though there was no specified order of countries to visit, most travelers went to Spain, France, Germany, and Switzerland before the culmination of the trip in Italy. Throughout the tour one was supposed to acquire knowledge of language, politics, sport and art and become a generally more well-rounded person of privilege - and acquire souvenirs aplenty. Carved lava jewelry was a favorite souvenir of ladies who traveled to Italy - a status symbol when worn back home that proved that they had been on the Grand Tour.
 
MATERIALS
10k gold fittings (tests), new 14k gold ear wires, lava
AGE
c. 1860
CONDITION
Very good - ear wires are new
SIZE
1 5/8" length measured from the top of the ear wire