Brooch
Jewellery
2023.4.11.1.JW.BC.C1860.IT
Description
Large oval brooch, with carved shell cameo representing Three Graces, mounted in scrolled gilded metal frame. A small ring is attached to the top allowing the brooch to be worn as a pendant.A cameo is a carving in relief, often exploiting the natural layering and contrasting colours of the stone. Carving in a hardstone such as agate was a slow process. Carving in shell was much quicker and therefore cheaper. By the middle of the 19th century, shell carving had come to dominate production in both Italy and France.
Materials
ShellBrass
Origin
vers 1860 ItalyDimensions
Length : 5.5 cmHeight : 6 cm