Time Dances By - Cameos and Ivory Jewelry

Item:	Description:	Price:
CA100	HEAVENLY “MADONNA OF THE CHAIR” ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Brooch / Pin ): This Museum quality hand carved shell Antique Cameo Brooch (c. 1870-80) depicts, in incredible detail, “The Madonna of the Chair”. The original oil painting was done by the Italian painter, Raphael, in 1514. It is one of the most famous of Raphael’s works – a painting of the Renaissance era. In this heavenly Cameo the Madonna engages the viewers directly as she sits protectively holding her young son, the infant Christ Child. On the right, Raphael reveals the figure of Christ’s young cousin, the boy St. John the Baptist. The master carver of this Cameo has shown the sweet embrace between mother and son, the prototype of motherly love. The child, Jesus, snuggles against his mother, while the young St. John holds his hands in prayer and cradles a cross in his arm. St. John and the Madonna both have delicate halos, while the baby Jesus has tiny rays of light above his head. A turned spindle of the “chair” is seen at the left of the carving. A stunning large Cameo set in a 9KT gold engraved frame with four sets of buckle and clasp ornaments (we belong together). See side views and frontal blowup to appreciate the intricacy of the buckles. The original C clasp closure is in place, but a shorter pin stem replaces the original elongated pin stem. I have included a photo of the original painting for comparison. You will treasure this highly coveted Cameo and its magnificent setting. A gift to a loved one or for yourself….a gift that will be treasured today, tomorrow and by future generations. Condition: Excellent. Size: A large Cameo measuring 2 3/4" high, 2 1/4" wide, 1/4" deep.	SOLD!
CA091	TWO GODDESSES “DAY & NIGHT” ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Pendant ): The romantic Victorians loved the subjects, “Day” and “Night”. This exquisite hand carved shell Antique Shell Cameo pendant, circa 1870, presents the personification of the goddesses – “Day and Night” in combination. Each displays their respective attributes. On the left, Day (Eos/Aurora) is seen with flowers in her hair and the rays of sun radiating above her head as she welcomes in the day. On the right, Night (Nyx/Nox) wears the veil of night with poppies – the narcotic, sleep inducing plant, in her hair. Her eyes are closed. The stars and a crescent moon can be seen floating above both figures. Zeus, in the guise of an eagle, rests on the clouds - providing a serene scene of the gods in peaceful harmony. This Victorian Cameo Pendant is remarkable for its delicacy of execution and poetic feeling. The fact that this masterful Cameo is a pendant makes it all the more desirable to me. I love having Cameos that are worn close to the face. A seductive and alluring Cameo reminding us that angels of many sorts greet us night and day. A highly sought after Cameo subject, especially with Zeus appearing as an eagle, “Day and Night” will continue to fascinate and delight you. The mounting is jeweler tested Sterling Silver with a nice sized Sterling bale. The Cameo is bezel set and surrounded by a rope twist. Condition: Excellent. There may have been a thin vermeil gold wash at one time, as there appears to be the slightest hint of gold in the Sterling Silver setting. Size: Cameo is 2 1/8” long, 1 5/8” wide, with bale 2 1/2” long.	SOLD!
CA090	REGAL MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Portrait Brooch / Pin ): Portrait Cameos had long been commissioned by royalty and the aristocracy. In the late nineteenth century the newly-wealthy of Victorian society began collecting cameo representations of historical figures, such as Shakespeare, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Dante and contemporary notables including the Romantic poets and novelists. This superb Antique Cameo, hand carved of Black Helmet Shell, is a portrait of Mary Queen of Scots. An oval cameo, set in a 10KT gold mount, it depicts Mary in her elaborate attire. (c. 1870-80) She is wearing a delicately carved ruff and her distinctive cap headpiece. This lovely Elizabethan lady is adorned with gorgeous jewelry – note the wonderful earring and beaded necklaces. Mary is wearing a tiny heart pendant and a cross suspended from a chain, symbols of her faith. She was eventually beheaded in the reign of Elizabeth I. (Mary was born in 1542 and died in 1587.) The 10KT (jeweler tested) bezel set double mount has a clear compartment on the reverse side, containing a curl of reddish blonde hair tied with a pink ribbon on a turquoise fabric backing. The brooch has a C clasp closure and still retains its safety chain. Highly sought after by collectors, this regal and elegant Mary Queen of Scots Cameo Brooch is an unforgettable example of a master carver’s art. Make a space in your jewelry box because this Queen Cameo belongs there! Condition: Excellent. The pin stem may be an early replacement. There are a few tiny surface indentations on the hollow mount at 8:00, but they are barely visible. Size: Just over 2” high, 1 3/4” wide, 3/8” deep.	SOLD!
CA088	FEATHERED WINGS OF HOPE ( Victorian Jewelry Angel Cameo Pin / Brooch ): This “heavenly” Antique Cameo Brooch should please angel lovers. In this hand carved Victorian Shell Cameo an angel rises above the clouds, hands crossed over her heart. (c. 1860-80) A large anchor – the symbol of Hope – dominates the scene. Victorians loved all of the heavenly symbols of Christianity. Angels were a special favorite. This feathered heavenly being gazes outward and seems to promise hope for a lost loved one or hope that the mortal beloved has passed into heaven. This could well be a Mourning Cameo. Its soft background is especially serene and the subject is delicately rendered. Notice the finely carved wings and the dominance of the anchor. I am reminded of Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is a thing with feathers, that perches in the soul”. The tested gold plate over Sterling Silver frame is embellished with delicate engraving. The original C clasp and elongated pin stem are still in place. This ethereal Cameo Angel with her gossamer wings is a timeless beauty to be treasured for generations. Condition: Excellent. No stress marks. Size: 2 1/8” high, 1 3/4” wide, 1/4” deep.	SOLD!
CA105	LOVE & WAR – VENUS & MARS ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Brooch / Pin ): This is the first time that I have offered this rare cameo subject, the lovers Venus (Greek Aphrodite) and Mars (Greek Ares). This hand carved Antique Shell Cameo Brooch (c. 1840-50) depicts the lovers accompanied by Cupid (Greek Eros). Cupid, the son of Venus, is portrayed holding an arrow and a flaming torch, which he used to arouse love and passion. Mars, the God of War, is a handsome, virile male figure wearing a helmet bearing a winged horse, with his spear and shield nearby. Venus, the Goddess of Love & Beauty, was adored by gods and men. She was sensual and vain, often encouraging her son, Cupid, to tease Mars by withholding his shield. This is a Cameo brooch of unsurpassed beauty and the highest quality carving. Notice that the pair are carved facing left – more difficult and rare – making it even more coveted by collectors. Prong set in a cannetille wire work frame of 18KT gold plate. The C clasp and pin stem run vertically. The Cameo has been signed on the back by the master carver. You will want to add this beauty to your personal treasures. These detailed and rare Cameo brooches are increasingly difficult to find. Buy the best and most beautiful and share it with another generation. Condition: Excellent. The setting shows the slightest wear. Size: 2 1/8” high, 1 3/4" wide, 1/4" deep.	SOLD!
CA076	WINGS OF LOVE ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Brooch / Pin ): This elegant and refined Victorian Shell Cameo (c. 1840-60) is an unusual rendering of Psyche, the bride of Cupid. Cupid pricked himself on his own arrow and fell in love with the beautiful mortal Psyche. After many trials, Zeus gave permission for the two lovers to marry and Psyche became an immortal. Psyche in Greek means both “soul” and “butterfly” – the soul was seen as a butterfly which left the body after death. In this crisp and complex carving, Psyche wears her butterfly wings on her shoulders and holds a second butterfly in her hand. Delicate and feminine, this Antique Cameo is enhanced by the swirling scarf in her hand and the fluffy clouds at the bottom. The entire cameo is filled with a circular motion. The shell is prong set in a delicate jeweler tested 14 KT gold rim. The yellow gold frame is best seen in the last photo, side view. The original C clasp and hinged pin stem are intact. A special cameo to own for yourself and then enjoy passing on to another generation. Condition: Excellent. No stress marks. Size: 2 1/4” high, 1 3/4” wide. Cameo curves 1/4” high.	SOLD!
CA036	MUSEUM QUALITY MEDUSA CAMEO ( Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch ): This breath-taking Victorian (1840 - 1860) Medusa Cameo is the work of a true artist. Set in an elaborate 10KT gold mounting, this shell cameo depicts one of the most sought after mythological images, Medusa. Poseidon fell in love with the beautiful mortal but the wrathful Athena turned her into a monster -- Medusa was one of the three Gorgons: And they are three, the Gorgons, each with wings / And snaky hair, most horrible to mortals, / Whom no man shall behold and draw again / The breath of life. Whoever looked at them was turned instantly to stone. Because of this, Medusa on cameos almost always has downcast eyes. Though of classical inspiration, there was a significant and interesting change in the appearance of the awesome Medusa profile made in the 19th century. Her terrifying aspect was transformed into a meek and innocent expression. The snakes in her hair, distasteful to Victorian ladies, were softened to resemble a headdress and necklace, while the wings in her crown were folded to conjure up visions of fairy tales and angels. This "tamed" Medusa became the exotic favorite of Victorians. Quality pieces, such as this exquisite Medusa, have become increasingly difficult to find at any price. This is THE cameo to own. There is a C clasp on the back with an added safety guard that slides over the pin. Condition: Excellent. Size: 2 3/8" high, 1 7/8" wide.	SOLD!
CA092	ATHENA IN HORSE HELMET ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Brooch / Pin ): Incredibly fine delicate carving sets this Victorian Cameo Brooch head and shoulders above most of the rest. (c. 1870-80) This is Athena, the daughter of Zeus, who had an unusual birth – she emerged fully grown and armed from the head of Zeus. (Don’t ask!) She was the fierce Greek goddess of War, but also the goddess of Wisdom. Athena in battle costume presented an awesome figure. Her sumptuous helmet has a Greek sphinx at the top and winged horse on the side. Across the front of the helmet three tiny horses race just above her brow and a horse hair crest tapers down to a tail at the back of her neck. She wears a short armor breast plate with the head of Medusa at the center. (One of Athena’s attributes, the snake, is pictured along with her spear.) Athena was a virgin goddess and her main temple was the Parthenon. Notice the fine triple row necklace and the lovely drop earring. Details everywhere you look! This breathtaking Antique Cameo is set in a simple jeweler tested 15KT gold rimmed setting that does not distract from the intricate carving. The master carvers mark and the number 411 are visibly etched on the back (Seen only in reflected light.) There is a C clasp closure with a slightly elongated pin stem. The tiny loop at the bottom is for a safety chain. You will fall in love with this dramatic multitasking goddess. Truly a classic Cameo that you can later pass on to your family as a remembrance. Condition: Excellent. The shell is naturally shaded in color and slightly curved. The back has the usual marks of gold testing done by careless dealers. The real value is in the Cameo carving! Size: 2” high, 1 5/8” wide.	SOLD!
CA089	THE THREE GRACES – JOY, CHARM & BEAUTY ( Victorian Jewelry Three Graces Cameo Set in Tortoiseshell Pendant ): The pairing of 2 different types of shell is unusual and striking. This large Antique Cameo Pendant surrounds the Three Graces (Bull’s Mouth shell) with an elaborate wide frame of Tortoiseshell. (c. 1880-90) In Greek mythology the three goddesses of joy, charm & beauty were known as The Three Graces. The daughters of Zeus, the Graces presided over banquets, dances and all other pleasurable social events. They brought joy and goodwill to both gods and mortals. The Graces were rarely treated as individuals, but always together as a kind of triple embodiment of grace and beauty. In art, they are usually represented as lithe young maidens dancing in a circle. These Three Graces, draperies swirling, are holding a crown of roses over the head of the center maiden. Finely hand carved down to their tiny toes, these ladies are real charmers. The large, superbly crafted, opulent Tortoiseshell frame ranges in color from a warm caramel to a dark chocolate brown. Leaves and vines intertwine to form an unending and captivating portrait of timeless beauty. Lacy and delicate, this dynamite combination is a seductive and alluring work of the jeweler’s art. Condition: Excellent. Includes large bale of Tortoiseshell. Not visible to the naked eye – a tiny nick on the back edge of the frame and a small split at the top of the tortoise bezel surrounding the cameo (both pictured). Age and dryness cause such separations. These are very minor and of no importance in a piece of this age. Size: Total length 3”, 2 1/4” wide. Cameo is 1 3/4” high, 1 3/8” wide.	SOLD!
CA066	WINGED NIGHT ( Victorian Jewelry Cameo Brooch ): This Victorian Cameo brooch (c. 1860) is one of my very favorite designs. Taken from a marble bas-relief by Neo-classical sculptor, Bertel Thorvaldsen, (executed in 1815) it remained a favorite subject for cameos throughout the 19^th Century. The winged figure of Nyx, goddess of Night, carries in her arms her two sleeping children – the young gods, Hypnos and Thanatos. Hypnos – the god of Sleep, son of Night and brother of Death – slumbers on one shoulder and Thanatos – the personification of Death – rests on his mother’s other shoulder. Nyx, herself, is accompanied by the nocturnal owl. There is a companion bas-relief that depicts “Day”. This is an extremely lovely carving with delicate wing feathers and gracefully swirling draperies. The peak of the shell has been used to accent the face of Nyx and the two slumbering infants. There is a ribbon twist surrounding the caramel shaded bezel set Cameo. The setting is gold filled. It appears that the safety chain is a later addition. You may remove it if you wish. The C clasp is original. Condition: Excellent. A few natural striations not visible to the naked eye. Size: 2” wide, 1 3/4” wide, 3/8” deep.	SOLD!
CA061	DIANA, GODDESS OF ALL THE WILD ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Brooch ): Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, was a beautiful wild maiden, a virgin huntress bearing a silver bow and a quiver of golden arrows. Here she is depicted in a Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch of exquisite delicacy and refinement. (c. 1860-70) Appealing and feminine, Diana was the daughter of Zeus and the twin sister of Apollo, the Sun god. She was also the protector of children and young animals. Her association with Selene, the Moon goddess, gave her the mark of the crescent moon. I love this carving of Diana! Shown from the waist up, the detail work in the bow and arrow are perfect. Her face is extremely well formed and the draperies of her chiton gown swirl around her and complement the shape of the shell beautifully. The shell is a pretty, soft caramel color and has been signed on the back. The original bezel and setting have been completely re-gilded. The side view shows the natural shape of the shell. The original C-clasp retains the extended pin stem. She is a real beauty! Condition: Excellent. A few light striations not visible except when held up to light. Size: 2” high, 1 5/8” wide.	SOLD!
CA048	CHARIOT OF FIRE ( Victorian Cameo Brooch ): This elaborate Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch is literally fabulous, for it illustrates the fable or myth of Phaëthon, son of the Greek sun god, Apollo, and the mortal woman Clymene. Phaëthon took advantage of Apollo’s promise to fulfill any request he made and demanded the privilege of driving the Chariot of the Sun all alone. Of course, he lost control of the fiery tempered horses and nearly destroyed the earth before falling to his death. The intricately carved Cameo shows the four horses of the sun plunging off their course as Phaëthon pulls ineffectively at the reins. (c. 1870 - 1880) Bezel set in a 14KT gold mounting engraved with flowers and leaves at the four compass points and edged with rope twist wires, it retains its original C clasp and safety chain. The Victorian extended pin stem closes securely. This Cameo is full of excitement and drama. Condition: Excellent. There are a few light stress marks near the horses heads and hooves, but they are only visible when held to a strong light source. Size: Brooch measures 2 1/2" wide, 1 3/4" high. Cameo alone: 1 3/4 wide, 1 3/8" high.	SOLD!
CA049	MYTHICAL CORAL BEAUTY ( Vintage Coral Cameo Pin / Pendant ): Coral presents a certain mystery: first it was pronounced a mineral, then a vegetable and today it is declared an animal. Regardless of its nature, coral has been a symbol of beauty, hope and protection against evil since classical times. This vintage Coral Cameo Brooch / Pendant is of breath-taking quality - a remarkable example of high relief hand carving in flawless condition. This finely detailed beautiful woman with stalks of wheat in her hair represents the Greek mythological goddess Demeter. (Roman - Ceres) The goddess of the harvest and fertility was both powerful and popular. Notice the elaborately carved hair style and the perfection of the tiny beaded necklace and earrings. The color of this Cameo is a very deep salmon. Coral is a product of sea life and is a soft material. When carving, the waste is great, which accounts in part for the high cost of a true coral Cameo. I would date this piece to about 1910 - 1920, Edwardian style. I say that because of the early style safety catch. The 14KT gold frame has a fine rope twist at the base of the bezel setting. There is a swivel pendant loop so that the piece can be worn as a pendant with the addition of a bale. Coral Cameos are highly prized and highly fashionable. Condition: Excellent. No chips or cracks. Size: 1 7/8" high, 1 1/2" wide.	SOLD!
CA039	CHRISTIAN VICTORY CROSS ( Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch ): What a superbly carved spiritual Victorian Shell Cameo! An Angel floats above the clouds (Heaven), holding a palm frond (Victory) aloft in her right hand and carrying a huge Cross (Christianity) in her left. This scene depicts the Triumph of Christianity. Look closely at her lovely draperies and the wonderful delicacy of both her wing feathers and the palm leaves. This allegorical treatment of a Christian theme is one I’ve never seen before. What a nice change from angels and cherubs! The 2-dimensional gold filled frame motif consists of fleur-de-lis on the top level and scallops underneath. The back of the frame has been reinforced with small bars and contains the engraved initials "M" and "V" (probably the original owner). The C clasp pin back has been replaced with a safety catch. Obviously, this Cameo was well cared for and worn with love. Condition: Excellent. The frame has a few wear spots. Total size: 2 1/4" high, 2" wide. Cameo alone: 1 5/8" high, 1 3/8".	SOLD!
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