Jewellery, Watches, Antiquities and Objects of Vertu

A 19th century oval hardstone cameo brooch/pendant, circa 1860-70, carved to depict the Goddess Vesta, keeper of the sacred fire of Rome, in diaphanous flowing robes and holding a brazier, with a star above her head, within a gold mount with applied beaded decoration, on detachable suspensory loop, contained in original leather fitted case, the lid signed in gilt ‘C à M-L SOUVENIR 7.1V. 84’, the interior silk signed ‘C & E Tombini, Piazza de Spegna 92, Roma’, length including suspensory loop 6cm. £800-£1,200,

The Goddess Vesta, daughter of Saturn, was the virgin goddess of hearth, home and family, and the six vestal virgins acted as guardians of her sacred flame in Roman temples, ensuring the flame was always kept alive, to secure the future of the city of Rome. The figure of the Goddess is after Raphael’s “The Triumph of Galatea”, frescoes at the Villa Farnesina, in Rome, executed for the Sienese banker Aogstino Chigi, around 1514, one of the richest men of that age.

C & E Tombini were Italian jewellers in the second half of the 19th century, specialising particularly in Archeological revival pieces, with shops both in London, at 22 Wigmore Street, and in Rome. Situated in the Piazza de Spagna below the Spanish Steps, the Rome shop premises were located in this fashionable area of the city, popular in the 18th and 19th century with Grand Tour visitors looking to acquire antiques and jewellery as souvenirs from their travels.