Time Dances By - Cameos and Ivory Jewelry

Item:	Description:	Price:
CA120	FLORA – MISTRESS OF THE FLOWERS CAMEO ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Brooch / Pin ): This breathtaking Victorian hand carved shell Cameo is the perfect way to welcome spring or any other season. (c. 1890-1900) The Roman goddess Flora, “Mistress of the Flowers”, symbolizes new life, spring, regeneration and hope. In this good sized Antique Shell Cameo, a crown of roses and forget-me-not blossoms trail all the way down past her shoulders. Carved in high relief, all of the details leap out from the surface. This cameo is actually carved in a delicate subtle pink/peach colored shell with skillful use of dark brown layers within the shell to add color to the flowers she wears in her hair. There is a hint of draperies at her shoulders and don’t miss the tiny strand of perfect pearls. Truly a stunning work of art. Probable English, this blushing beauty is set into a fine 15KT gold frame with a fine wirework bezel and graceful twisted decoration around the edge. Both the pin stem and C clasp closure are in excellent working order. The tiny loop at the top is for a safety chain, but if you are clever you could insert a tiny “O” ring to make this brooch wearable as a pendant or necklace as well. What a perfect gift for a bride! Soft, delicate and beguiling, this cameo is very subtle and delicate while retaining the “WOW” factor. Condition: Excellent. Size: Medium. 1 7/8” high, 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!
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!
IV053	FLORA BRINGS SPRING ( Victorian Jewelry Ivory Cameo Pendant ): This breathtaking Victorian hand carved Ivory Cameo of Flora is the perfect way to welcome spring or any other season. (c. 1840-70) The Roman goddess Flora, “mistress of the flowers” symbolizes new life, spring, regeneration and hope. In this large Antique Ivory Cameo portrait the lovely young nymph is adorned with a splendid floral hair piece of roses, forget-me-nots and lilies of the valley. They swirl and travel down to her shoulders. Notice the double strand of perfect ivory beads. From about 1840 to 1870 high-relief work ivory cameos were very fashionable and often brought home from France as gifts from prosperous travelers. Both the grain and patina of the ivory are so lovely and clearly seen in the beautiful photos. Large thick carvings like this were purchased unset and later set in a box top. The holes on the back were drilled so that the Cameo could be pegged into a setting or worn as a brooch. This divine Victorian marvel of carving is facing to the left – most Cameos face right. It requires a master carver to work to the left since it is harder to execute. The setting for this Flora pendant is a sterling silver three claw bezel mount with an oval bale to hold a silver chain. Quality Ivory pieces have become scarce and will only become more rare as collectors covet these Ivory Cameos. Look at the beauty of her facial features and the depth of the carving. This is a Cameo to treasure for a lifetime. Condition: Excellent. There are no chips to the flowers. The setting is from a later period. The chain is not included. Size: 2 1/8” high, 1 1/2” wide, 7/8” deep.	SOLD!
CA065	CLASSICAL HARDSTONE BEAUTY ( Victorian Jewelry Hardstone Cameo Brooch ): I am so pleased to be able to offer you this exquisite hardstone Cameo brooch. (c. 1870) The Cameo has become known as a classic form of jewelry. Some of the best and most highly prized Cameos are made from hardstone. (They date back to ancient Rome.) These Cameos are more difficult and time-consuming to fashion and require a great deal of skill with lathe-held tools. Cameo experts point out that hardstones are not “carved”, but more correctly engraved. This carnelian hardstone Cameo depicts the profile of a classical female beauty. Truly a miniature sculpture complete down to the tiniest detail. Richly attired and serene in expression this beautiful brooch is outstanding in its entirety. Bezel set in a 14KT gold Etruscan Revival mount with scrolled wirework and bead decoration, the setting compliments the Cameo perfectly. The dainty beadwork at the top of the frame is offset by the lush scrollwork that encircles the bottom of the setting. The pin back appears to be original and closes tightly with an unusually elaborate C clasp. This Cameo combines art and jewelry into one perfect piece of Victorian excellence. Condition: Excellent. No damage to Cameo or setting. Size: 2” high, 1 3/8” wide, 1/2” deep.	SOLD!
CA063	A PASSION FOR LAVA ( Victorian Jewelry Lava Cameo Brooch ): Victorians had a passion for travel and heading the list of tourist sights were the newly uncovered ruins of Pompeii. Tourists, then as now, were of a single mind when it came to taking home souvenirs to remind them of their holiday and lava Cameos from Mount Vesuvius became the mementos of choice. Lavish and intricate in its every detail, this gorgeous light khaki (greenish-beige) lava cameo depicts a Bacchante, one of the female followers of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and fertility. Just look at the incredible depth of the relief and the amount of undercarving delineating every leaf and grape in the vines twisted through her elaborate hair style. It’s amazing! I particularly like to think of her proper Victorian owner (c. 1840 - 1860) adorned by what is, after all, an ancient party girl. Someone back then must have had a sense of humor. The 18KT gold setting is an intricate Etruscan Revival design. (True color of setting best seen in side view.) The Lava Cameo is bezel set and has a replacement pin hinge and pin stem. The C clasp appears original and there is a tiny ring at the bottom that was used to attach a safety chain. Condition: Excellent. She still has her nose! There is a slight dip in the edge of the frame where the pin hinge was replaced. A significantly fine & large Lava Cameo with no damage. Size: 2 1/4” high, 1 7/8” wide, 1/2” thick.	SOLD!
CA034	HEAVENLY MESSENGER ( Victorian Shell Cameo Pendant ): This superb Victorian Shell Cameo (c. 1860 - 1880) is a masterful carving of an angel pointing the way to Heaven. The details of the wings and dress are only surpassed by the incredibly fine hair and facial features. What a carving! This cameo is unset and meant to be worn as a pendant. Angel Lovers - this is the one! Condition: Excellent. A few natural striations that come with age, but not visible to the naked eye. 2" high, 1 5/8" wide.	SOLD!
CA043	VICTORIAN CUPID KICKS UP HIS HEELS: ( Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch ): This delightful hand carved Victorian Cameo Brooch gives us a view of a playful Cupid (or a Cherub) set in a 9 KT yellow gold simple bezel setting. Playing the lyre and dancing for joy, his draperies fly around him as his outspread wings allow him to barely touch the ground. This cameo dates from 1880 - 1890 and fastens with a C clasp. It also has a small ring at the top for a safety chain or - with the addition of a jump ring - allows the cameo to be worn as a pendant. Full of joy and exuberance, this finely carved little fellow is irresistible! Condition: Excellent. There are a few small, almost invisible stress lines in the shell, which can only be seen when held up to a strong light source. Size: 2" high, 1 5/8" wide.	SOLD!
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