The earliest known use of shell for cameo carving was during the 15th and 16th centuries. Before that, cameos were carved from hardstone. The Renaissance cameos are typically white on a grayish background and were carved from the shell of a mussel or cowry. In the mid 18th century, explorations revealed new shell varieties. Helmet shells from the West Indies, and queen conch shells from the Bahamas arrived in Europe, thus sparking a big increase in the number of cameos that were carved from shells. Most commonly, cameos portrayed the faces or images of Romanesque women. Most often they had upswept hairstyles and some were even adorned with jewelry. The cameos usually depicted the portrait of the “idealized” woman or god’s and goddesses from mythology.
A breathtaking shell cameo brooch from the Victorian (ca1880s) era! This large brooch features an oval-shaped cameo held within a smooth and simple 9k yellow gold bezel-setting. The cameo is highly-intricate, and depicts Saint George in the act of slaying the dragon. Saint George is depicted in a flowing cape, helmet, and loose garments. He is sitting atop a stallion, whose front feet are raised. The valiant figure is also shown plunging a long spear into the mouth of the dragon, whose scaly, winged body is curled at the base of the cameo. The backside of the brooch features both a pin clasp and safety chain. A fantastic piece with an interesting backstory, this brooch would make a fantastic addition to any Victorian-era jewelry collection!
Measurements: The brooch has a height of 2 1/8″ and a width of 1 3/4″.
Condition: The overall condition of the brooch is excellent. There is no apparent damage to the gold setting, pin clasp, or additional safety chain. The cameo is free from any chips or damages, and is in excellent antique condition.
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