Statuette, of female figure

This lava statuette is of a draped female figure standing on a circular pedestal. It was made in Naples around 1862.

The quality of the statuette is exceptional.

A wide selection of souvenirs was available to visitors to Naples. In the eighteenth century the speciality was tortoiseshell. In the nineteenth century there were carved coral, shell cameos and 'lava' jewellery and other items, which were generally made out of coloured limestones. Murray's 'Handbook for Travellers in Southern Italy' (1874) recommends Squadrilli, 'one of the largest and best assorted dealers in coral at Naples, and with fixed prices; he is a large exporter to the United States; he also sells lava and tortoiseshell works'.

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