Mid 19th century Italian Mount. Vesuvius Lava stone snuff box with silver gilt mountings; on the cover a very finely carved classical image of a woman embracing a tree, most possibly a nymph of trees, that were believed to die together with the trees which had been their abode, and with which they had come into existence. They were called Dryades, Hamadruades or Hadryades, from drys, which signifies not only an oak, but any wild-growing lofty tree; for the nymphs of fruit trees were called Mêlides, Mêliades, Epimêlides, or Hamamêlides. They seem to be of Arcadian origin, and never appear together with any of the great gods.

Dimension cm 4.5 x 7.7 x 2.5h.