REDUCED Large Shell Cameo ~ Ornate 10K Gold Setting ~ Left Face Bacchante

Jewelry : Antique : Fine : Gold : Bacchante : Cameo : Left Face

 

Stunning cameo, hand carved of shell, with a left facing cameo bust. The artist was evidently a very skilled craftsman, as evidenced by the details - the curls and waves of the hair, the veining of the grape leaves that adorn the top of her head, the graduated necklace carved around her neck. The grape leaves indicate that this is a Bacchante - those famous maidens who were the followers of the god of wine, Bacchus. Marked 10K on the clasp, this type of clasp indicates that the piece was made in the time frame of 1810 - 1910 when that style was most widely used. The gold setting is lovely, with incising all around the "frame" and smooth gold on the bezel setting. Clasp is secure. The size is amazing, quite large for a cameo, 1 7/8ths inches across and 2 3/8ths inches tall (counting the mounting). There is a small hairline fracture in the BACK of the cameo - this cannot be felt on the front, but can be seen with a loupe. It runs from the edge to just behind her "bangs" and down almost to her nose. I've taken a picture with it held up to the light so you could see this. This should not separate, is not visible to the naked eye, and as stated, does not run completely through the shell to the top layer. Price does reflect this flaw.

Item ID: 3-G