19th Century Meerschaum with a scene of Christ on the cross in an oval frame. The scene is behind convex glass and framed in a black wooden frame. The back is covered in black velvet, and the original hanger is still in place. It dates from the early 19th Century. Meerschaum is known, which is used to make pipes and is found in areas such as Crimea, Bosnia, Greece, Spain, Tanzania and in Turkey. It is a soft type of stone. A special property of meerschaum is its light weight. It floats in water for a while before slowly sinking. When completely soaked in water, it cuts like soap. When dry, the processing is comparable to softer woods. Finally, fire hardens it somewhat, and that is precisely what makes it suitable for pipes, giving the object sufficient strength. This particular piece measures 6.5" x 5.5" x 1.5". It is in FABULOUS condition with original glass.
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