SALE 1920's Goddess Psyche Shell Cameo Brooch/Pendant 14K

Jewelry : Vintage : Carved, Cameo : Carnelian Shell : Mythological : Psyche : Brooch : Pendant : 14k Yellow Gold

 

There is something about a cameo that is truly captivating. Be it the attention to fine detail, the elegance of the portraits, the story behind the scene... there is simply nothing quite as beautiful as a cameo, and they never go out of style.

This is a most beautiful Italian carved mythological cameo carved from carnelian shell with a custom Roman style setting of solid 14K yellow gold. This cameo features a full bust portrait cameo of the lovely Goddess Psyche in all her glory and incorporating all her mythological attributes. The carving is fantastic in every aspect, top to bottom. Her facial features (including her lips, nose, eyes and even eyebrows) are expertly done, as is her intricate hair and gown. Her characteristic butterfly wings abound in this cameo. Rarely have I seen them in as much abundance as this cameo. The common and usual wings in her hair are accentuated more than other cameos and she also has wings coming from her back (over her right shoulder) and there is a full butterfly on her left shoulder. This adds to the rarity of this lovely Psyche, making her a true one of a kind cameo. A gorgeous and romantic cameo.

This splendid creation in the setting measures 44mm (1 3/4" ) tall without the bale by 35mm (1 3/8), and the cameo alone is 40mm by 30mm. The pin, hinge and secure locking c-clasp are original and also 14K gold as is the fold-down, hide-away bale for use as a pendant. This cameo weighs 8.6 grams. All is in mint perfect original condition and ready to wear and dazzle. A definite "wow" for any one's gift list and a divine combination of both Italian carving and goldsmith skills.

The quality of the carving and setting, as well as the subject, justify this cameo as a very finely carved heirloom piece. The artisan did an excellent job with the color of the outer shell used in her hair and on her gown.. A true test of the carvers abilities. Most Psyche cameos are renditions of famous paintings. I have never seen and cannot find this scene in any painting. It is that much more rare and unique in that is is a one of a kind original, perhaps inspired by an Italian fresco. Most definitely a sultry and romantic Italian creation of beauty. No Psyche cameo lover could not love this one!

The name "Psyche" means "Soul" and her union with Cupid (Eros) tells the story of how Love and Soul came to be together -

Long ago a king had three daughters. Psyche, who was the youngest of the three daughters, was so incredibly beautiful that people in her village and outlying areas stopped praying to Aphrodite (Venus), taking Psyche for the Goddess of Beauty instead. This upset Aphrodite immensely. She instructed her son Eros (Cupid) to make Psyche fall in love with the ugliest man on Earth. Eros went down to Earth to find her. When he did, he was stunned by her beauty, so stunned that as he lay his golden arrow on her heart, he pricked himself and fell in love with her.

Aphrodite realized that Eros had not done his job. Aphrodite sent down a spell of her own on Psyche. As soon as this happened, not another suitor knocked upon their door. Her parents got worried. Psyche's mother, the queen, went off to the Oracle to hear what was wrong.

"Psyche will never marry a mortal. She shall be given to one who waits for her on yonder mountain; he overcomes Gods and men."

It seemed that she was destined to marry a monster. No one wanted to let her go. Psyche realized the futility of her situation, and knew that she had angered Aphrodite. She accepted what the Fates had decreed and told her parents to take her to the mountain and leave her for the beast. After many denials, they finally agreed and most of the country accompanied her to her supposed death. As she watched them leave, her heart cried out in sorrow and though she stayed firm with courage she could not stop a tear from trickling down her cheek. Zephyr, the kindly West Wind, saw her sorrow and bore her away to the valley below the mountain into soft grass in place of the harsh rock of the mountaintop. It was there that she woke.

When she awoke, she didn't see any monster around her but she did see a lush looking forest. Eager for the protection it could offer she went in. As she entered she heard the sound of water and followed it. She followed until she found a bright pool with a fountain, and beyond it a beautiful palace. Then she heard a voice, its speaker invisible, telling Psyche that the palace was hers, and the invisible servants around her were to do her bidding. She was delighted and ran all around the palace finding all sorts of wonderful things waiting for her. That evening the palace grew dark and a new voice spoke to her. It was her husband. This voice was kind and loving, and she couldn't imagine that it was that of a monster. But that didn't stop her from wanting to see him. She begged him to come in the daylight, but he refused, telling her that the day she saw him was the day their happiness came to an end. It was Eros, of course.

Eros was very kind to Psyche in every way but he never ever let her see his face. Psyche, though kind and happy, was a woman, and with that came an almost insatiable curiosity. She was afraid that she was married to a monster, and wanted to know his true visage. One night she told him that she missed her family, and could they visit. Eros heard the loneliness in her voice and agreed, but he knew that this would be their downfall. When her sisters arrived they were very eager to hear about her new life, and asked all about her husband. When they heard of her arrangement they laughed at her and told her that they had heard she was married to a dragon who was fattening her up now, but would soon eat her. They urged her to take out the lamp one night and look at him while he slept, carrying a dagger to kill him if he was indeed a dragon.

Finally, one night Eros went to sleep as usual, but Psyche remained awake. She took the oil lamp and lit it looking onto his face. Immediately she recognized his godliness and realized what had been going on. But in her shock her hands trembled and she spilled some of the oil onto her lover. Eros awoke and saw the lamp and Psyche's sorrow and realized what she had done. He gave a cry of grief and then flew out the window. She realized now that she was truly abandoned for as she looked around her the palace had disappeared and she was again in the middle of the woods.

Psyche realized what she had done, but she was not about to give up her Love. She traveled in search of her husband. She came upon a deserted hall filled with ears of corn and barley and wheat strewn all across the floor. Immediately she began picking up the mess and putting it together in a beautiful and decorative manner, making the deserted hall more like a temple. As she worked Demeter ( the Goddess of the harvest) watched her, smiling at the goodness of her Soul. When Psyche had finished, Demeter appeared before her and said:

"Psyche, you are worthy of happiness, and you may yet have it. Go now to the temple of Aphrodite and pray for her forgiveness, perhaps she will reward your patience."

She went to the temple of Aphrodite and humbly offered her prayer. The jealous Aphrodite would not look at Psyche and said that if she truly desired repentance for her sins she would have to perform some horrendous tasks. Psyche determinedly did them all with the help of many who appreciated the beauty of her soul, including an always hidden Eros and other Gods, Goddesses, creatures, as well as mortals. None of the deeds satisfied Aphrodite and she continued to torment Psyche.

After a time, Eros' love had him scouring the countryside for her. Soon he found her and had her return to Aphrodite and wait for him. Happily she did so, while Eros went to Olympus. On Olympus he told the feasting Gods his story, and begged them to appease his angry mother. The Gods, taken with the pure beauty of the tale, agreed and summoned Aphrodite, They soothed her until she was no longer angry. Then Hermes, the Messenger God, descended to Earth and brought Psyche back with him to Olympus. Once there, the gods had her take the cup of ambrosia that Hebe held out to her. She took it, and upon drinking it blossomed into the fairest thing you've ever seen.

Eros took her in his arms, and from that day on the two were never parted again, heart and soul....

For a truly wonderful present, give a gift from the past. Guys, for an unusual and cherished gift, it does not get any more romantic than this.

All of our cameos come professionally cleaned and conditioned with instructions on how you can keep them that way for generations to come.

This masterpiece will be delivered in a lovely presentation box perfect for gift giving or storage, along with a copy of our complimentary cameo care instructions. When you have found the perfect gift, you needn't worry about the perfect box. We understand presentation is where its at and the rosewood presentation box this beauty comes in will do the trick!

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-00809

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The Greatest Love Story Ever Told