Fine Shell Cameo of Aurora Mounted as a Gold Brooch, c. 1870

The Dawn

Fine Shell Cameo of Aurora Mounted as a Gold Brooch, c. 1870

€ 2,190.00 ^*

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!

The Greek Eos, or her Roman equivalent Aurora – in ancient mythology, she was the goddess of dawn, who turned the sky rose-colored in the early hours of the morning. Accompanied by the genii of light, the young woman glides across the twilight sky, scattering roses. Homer already gave the personification of dawn the nickname "the rose-fingered". The scene here is delicately cut in white against the rosy background of a shell. The fluttering raiment of Dawn appears to be moving, almost transparent in places. The shell cameo is set in a frame richly decorated with twisted gold wires in the so-called archaeological style, which was particularly fashionable in the 1860s and 1870s. Additional fine gilding over the solid gold frame makes it shine in a rich hue. During the 19th century, cameos were rarely created according to the cameo cutter's own designs, but normally based on printed templates. These templates were usually reproductions of engravings after paintings or sculptures by well-known masters such as Canova or Thorvaldsen. However, we have not yet been able to locate the model for this cameo: It is indeed a rare motif. We discovered this high-quality, antique piece of jewellery in southern Germany. However, the cameo was almost certainly created in the Bay of Naples, the traditional place for cameo cutting, while the setting is probably English.

Size & Details

The Dawn

€ 2,190.00 ^*

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

The Dawn

Brooches & Pins

Privacy settings