Georgian Gold & Lava Pulchinella Pendant

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Georgian Gold & Lava Pulchinella Pendant

$2,000.00

Description

DATE: Georgian, c.1820

An exceptional Georgian Pulchinella (Mr Punch) pendant/fob dating from the early 19th Century, circa 1820. The face is carved from a single piece of lava, with hooked nose and grotesque grin, with finely worked 15k gold hat and base. The character first appeared in 16th Century Italian commedia dell'arte, becoming a stock character in Neapolitan puppetry. He was particularly popular with audiences in Restoration Britain, when there was a strong resurgence in arts and theatre after Cromwell's ban. The name was soon changed to Mr Punch, the form from a marionette to a hand puppet, and the character, (described as "...really, a spirit of Britain - a subversive maverick who defies authority) still popular to this day was born.

Complete with period gold split ring.

STONES

Lava

MEASUREMENTS

2.9 x 2.2 x 1.8cm

WEIGHT

7.4g

MARKS

No marks present, tests as 15k gold

CONDITION

Good, some wear to the face commensurate with age and use