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Vest button

Collection Type

  • Jewelry

Date

1855-1865

GUSN

GUSN-284598

Description

Each button in this set of twelve is composed of a micromosaic view of an ancient Roman architectural site. Each micromosaic is set in black glass and mounted in gold with an applied rope border. Each button attaches with a hook on the reverse. The set of twelve buttons are in their original black leather case with white silk and red velvet lining.

Details

Descriptive Terms

buttons (fasteners)
Stud

Label

These exquisite chalcedony cameos came from jeweler Diego D'Estrada's shop in Rome. Robert Means Mason and his wife, Sarah, purchased the set along with a set of vest buttons depicting the sights of ancient Rome, possibly on their journey to Europe in 1865. Sarah was an acute asthmatic and the pair often traveled abroad for her health. Unfortunately, Sarah died in the fall of 1865 in Dieppe, France.

Additional Identification Number

171

Maker

Unknown

Dimensions

9/16 x 9/16 x 1/2 (HxWxD) (inches)

Accession Number

1930.160.12

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