Italian micromosaic jewellery (Souvenirs from the Grand Tour!)

After Napoleon was defeated (1814), the English started to travel to Europe again.   Italy was a particular favourite and many folk brought back jewellery as souvenirs.  Sometimes these items were unmounted and were 'framed' when they returned home.  Cameos and micromosaics were popular and, just like today in Florence and Rome, there were a number of shops and street sellers. Rome specialized in micromosaics.

To make a micromosaic, thin glass pieces (rods or tesserae) were cut and placed using small tweezers.  These were then 'cemented' into place, the gaps filled with wax, and then they were polished.

Portrait Photographs

Photography was first invented c 1839.  Portraits were very expensive for people to have and families if they could afford would have a group shot. This would be for special occasions, even including after death which may seem rather macabre to us today!  I have  collected a number of interesting portrait photographs over the years and recently have started to use them to display jewellery.  I'm enclosing a few shots for you to enjoy.

Setting up the Blog

Today I am a first time blogger!  I have read some wonderful blogs by people who also like me are interested in vintage and antiques (jewellery, textiles, china, books, buttons).  I've particularly enjoyed seeing some wonderful photographs and am not sure I will ever be able to match them.   However, I am going to try my best, so here's to the future of blogging....