Large Early Victorian Brooch with Shell Cameo & Locket Compartment, c. 1850

Your Image, Carved in Stone

Large Early Victorian Brooch with Shell Cameo & Locket Compartment, c. 1850

€ 980.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Unit price €980.00 / 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!

This brooch is remarkable for its unusual motif: instead of the typical portrait of a lady or depiction of an ancient deity carved from a shell cameo, it depicts a small narrative scene: A charming putto has raised a hammer and is chiseling at the bust of a beautiful lady resting on a pedestal. The putto is clad only in a loincloth, and a bouquet of blooming flowers can be seen behind him. The scene stands out strikingly against the dark background in the white limestone layer of the shell. The cameo was likely a token of love, for its message is as beautiful as it is evocative. The genius of love himself carves the image of his beloved into stone, preserving it for eternity. An elaborate setting in the naturalistic style of the 1850s holds the shell cameo and transforms it into a brooch. But the piece of jewellery holds a little secret that reinforces the idea that it is a token of love: On the back of the cameo is a built-in locket that offers space for a lock of hair or a photograph of a loved one. The highlight of the piece: the locket and cameo are set in a so-called “swiwel mount,” allowing both images to be rotated within the setting along a vertical axis. This way, either the contents of the locket or the cameo can be displayed in the brooch. The setting itself is designed to resemble branches and is made of “Pinchbeck,” a brass alloy that has been used in England since the 18th century as a decorative substitute for gold. This lovingly crafted piece of jewellery came to us from London.

Size & Details

Your Image, Carved in Stone

€ 980.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Unit price €980.00 / 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

Your Image, Carved in Stone

Brooches & Pins

Privacy settings