Coral Collier de Chien with Magnificent Antique Cameo in Silver, c. 1870 & Later

Triumphant Performance

Coral Collier de Chien with Magnificent Antique Cameo in Silver, c. 1870 & Later

€ 1,290.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

A scene of ancient grandeur unfolds before our eyes. A mighty lion, a sleek panther and a rearing steed are led by a boy and a young man on leads. Their posture is calm, almost reverent, as if they themselves sense the greatness of the moment. A scholar holding a globe in his hand turns over his shoulder as if to take in the events behind him once more with an alert mind. This cameo is cut with astonishing precision into the curved shell of a fencing scroll; every line, every movement lives on in delicate relief, which stands out in pink against the white background. Its model is one of the most famous works of classicism: the Alexander Frieze by Bertel Thorvaldsen. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Danish sculptor designed this monumental relief for Napoleon, which was later installed in the Quirinal Palace. It shows the triumphal entry of Alexander the Great after his victory over Babylon without a fight - a motif that particularly appealed to Napoleon, as it made him appear as the heir to the ancient hero. The animals we see here were part of Alexander's spoils of war. In the miniature of this shell cameo, they seem almost alive, as if they were still breathing the dust of the road on which they were led into conquered Babylon. The fine work thus unites myth, triumph and beauty in a single, silent movement. The Alexander frieze consists of numerous scenes and culminates in the quadriga with Victoria and Alexander. Thorvaldsen's design, a kind of modern Parthenon frieze, quickly became famous throughout Europe. Copies of the reliefs were erected in Munich, in Copenhagen and (but not only) on Lake Como. Reproductions in the medium of copperplate engraving were also made several times within a few years, see for example the sheets in Copenhagen, illustration above, Inv. no. E33,13 and in the Hamburger Kunsthalle, Inv. no. kb-1937-330-13.. The cameo cutter in the Bay of Naples certainly had a sheet like this when he cut the present scene in around 1870. The solid silver frame was probably created only a little later, possibly to make it wearable as a bracelet clasp. The corals, which make the clasp wearable today as a Collier de Chien, were added at the end of the 20th century.

Size & Details

Triumphant Performance

€ 1,290.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

Learn more

Triumphant Performance

Chains & Necklaces

Privacy settings