SOLD Museum Quality Lava Cameo of a Bacchante ca. 1840/1850

Jewelry : Antique : Fine : Victorian : Carved, Shell Cameos, Brooch : Lava

 

Museum quality cameo depicting a Bacchante. They were followers of Bacchus the God of wine (Dionysus is the Greek name). Bunches of grapes and wine leaves in her hair. Look how the carver used the lava stone to evidence her face, the wine leaves and the grapes and the clothes. There is a sort of locket on the back, this was probably a mourning jewel. This is another masterly carved cameo. A very desirable collectors piece, rare and museum quality cameo. Material: Lava, Pinchbeck. Size: just under 2" by 1 7/8". Date and Origin: Circa 1840/1850 Italy, frame could be English. Conditions: A tiny loss on the vine leaves on her head on the right, a tiniest chip on her front, a stress line on the right cameo side, not noticeable by naked eye, mentioned for accuracy. Note: Pinchbeck is an alloy of copper and zinc, it was developed by Christopher Pinchbeck (c.1670 - November 18, 1732), he was a London clockmaker and maker of musical Automata. He was born in Clerkenwell but worked in Fleet Street. Probably his name was derived from Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire. In the 1700's he invented the alloy Pinchbeck a cheap substitute for gold.

Item ID: 25