C.1860. A Grand Tour souvenir- a 19th century Italian micromosaic pendant. The Grand Tour started in the 17th century, and in the early 1800s, traveling opened more opportunities for some privileged men and even women with the steam-powered transportation. It became a trend for young and wealthy English and European aristocrats to visit Paris, Florence, Venice, and above all Rome to complete their classical and cultural educations. Pieces like this micromosaic pendant were purchased by the travelers to take home as Victorian era 'souvenirs'. 
This pendant has a unique color combination of black and white, and with its colors and the large scale, the pendant offers a striking look. Set in silver gilt, which was also common and proper for the micromosaic pieces from this era, the pendant is all in the original form. A tiny bit of tesserae are missing at the tip of the pendant. Overall this piece is in very good condition.