SALE Antique 14K Victorian Shell Cameo Silhouette of Muse Polyhymnia Diamond Habille & Chain

Jewelry : Antique : Fine : Victorian : Cameo : Carnelian Shell : Silhouette : Mythological : Muse Polyhymnia : Brooch : Pendant : Diamond : 14k Yellow Gold : Silver

$525 USD SALE
Larger Views

 
Shipping/Handling*: Free
Insurance: Included in shipping
Price for shipping to USA
*USPS Priority Mail (2 to 3 business days)

Available shipping to USA:
  USPS Priority Mail (2 to 3 business days): Free, insurance: Included in shipping
  USPS Express Mail (1 business day): $20.00 USD, insurance: Included in shipping

To estimate shipping to a different location:
Enter your Postal Code:  and Country: --Select Country-- United States Algeria Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Belgium Belize Bermuda Bolivia Botswana Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Finland France French Guiana Germany Greece Grenada Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Malaysia Maldives Malta Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Northern Ireland Norway Oman Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saudi Arabia Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia South Africa South Korea Spain Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Venezuela Yemen

Promotional Shipping Rules apply
Combinable for shipping discounts

 

An early 1900's beautiful work of art, this genuine carnelian shell cameo brooch/pendant offers a splendid and very, very rare rendition of the mythological muse Polyhymnia. She is portrayed with all her attributes from her gaze up to the sky, to the laurel wreath (the wreath of Daphne) in her gorgeous hair, to her lyre on her left shoulder. The detail of the carving is magnificent from the top of her head to the bottom of her Roman toga.

The carving is a cutaway or cut out from the background layer, resulting in a splendid silhouette only cameo. This piece was intended as a silhouette from its origin as the setting and pin are also from the same period. The sides were masterfully beveled after being cut out as this artist did not miss a thing in showing his fine craftsmanship. As if this beautiful silhouette was not amazing enough as it was, the master carver added a solid 14K white gold necklace and setting holding a dazzling 10 point diamond. A true cameo masterpiece of carving and craftsmanship.

Cameos which wear real jewelry such as this, instead of carved jewelry, are known as cameo habilles. "Habille" comes from the French word "habiller", meaning "to dress". Thus, an habille cameo would mean a "dressed" cameo.

The cutaway cameo itself without the bail measures 2 1/8" by 1 1/2". She has been set with a cruciform that was hand crafted from 900 silver. The setting wraps around the front of the cameo with 4 wide prongs. There is a fold down bail at the top to be worn as a pendant and a pin and locking clasp to be worn as a brooch. The total weight is 15.6 grams as this cameo was carved from a thick and supple carnelian shell. It was meant to last many generations, as it certainly has, and remains in mint perfect original condition with no cracks, repairs or other flaws whatsoever. Included is the pictured 16" Italian Sterling Silver with lots of sparkle to accent this fine cameo.

Polyhymnia is the Muse of the divine hymns, sacred poetry, geometry and mimicry.

Polyhymnia is often depicted like a very strict and thinking deity, with a wrath of Daphne (laurel) in her hair, looking up to the sky and expressing herself with gestures while playing the lyre.

In both Roman and Greek mythology, the Muses are a sisterhood of nine goddesses or spirits who embody the arts and inspire the creation process with their graces through remembered and improvised song and stage, writing, traditional music, and dance. They would dance, sing, light candles, burn incense, perform ancient rituals, and speak to the gods through chanting or playing instruments.

The nine muses are the daughters of the Titan Mnemosyne, who is the personification of remembrance. All of the muses have a science or an art to protect.

This silhouette has it all for the cameo collector or lover. Fine carving, fine craftsmanship, extremely rare subject (the only one I have ever seen), habille and the finest of materials and gems. All in a rare and beautiful silhouette, I highly recommend this cameo for its beauty and investment value. She is truly a magnificent work of art.

For that number one girl on your gift list...a gift that will be treasured today, tomorrow and by future generations as well. Large and lovely, this cameo is sure to please the most discriminating cameo lover in your life, OR treat yourself to this heirloom piece.

For the perfect present, Give a gift from the past.

When you find the perfect gift, you needn't worry about the perfect box. Presentation is where it's at. We all love it! This beauty will be delivered in a lovely presentation box, perfect for gift giving or storage, along with a copy of our complimentary cameo care instructions to keep her perfect for generations.

Always free shipping in the USA with a no hassle return policy. We want our customers to love our pieces as much as we do. If for ANY reason you do not, we are happy to refund your purchase price and the return shipping. And none of those ridiculous restocking fees at Cameo Couture. NEVER will be. We pledge and guarantee every item we sell will be loved or totally refunded so you can try whatever appeals to you hassle free.

Item ID: RL-00621

--------------------
RARE Muse in Silhouette