Rare Museum Quality Shell Cameo of the Annunciation's Angel

Jewelry : Antique : Fine : Victorian : Carved, Cameo

 

Museum quality cameo depicting the Annunciation's Angel. Rare subject masterly carved, look at the pictures, you can even see his eye's pupil. His face, so sweet, is superbly rendered as his clothes and the wings, everything seems to be real. There is something scratched on the back, it reads "Maggio 51 Agosto 13" it is in Italian and means "May 51 August 13" it is probably a date, May 51 could mean May 1851 and maybe August 13 is the date when the work was completed or when the cameo was sold. This is an incredible work of art, very detailed cameo, carved by an artist . Rarest cameo and subject very desirable collectors' piece.

Material : Sardonyx Shell. Size: 2 6/8" by just under 2 3/8". Date and Origin: Circa 1850/1860 Italy, frame is English, 15 K gold tested. Conditions: A stress line that I can feel a bit under my fingernail, another couple of slight hairlines.

Item ID: 17