Antique layered agate Cameo in Gold in Archaeological Style, ca. 1880

Cutting cameos and gemstones in agate is a special art. In the 19th century this technique had been driven to mastery especially in the Hunsrück, in Idar Oberstein. The town of Idar was already famous in the 15th century because of its unusual agate deposits and talented stone cutters soon settled there, working for the treasuries of Europe. In the 19th century, gemstones and cameos from the small city of gemstones reached goldsmiths all over Europe. Here a young lady is looking to the left. Rich curls surround her head, an antique robe is thrown loosely around her shoulders and chest. Her chin is striking. Without any other attribute she is difficult to identify clearly. The beauty and elegance of her depiction, for example, allow the interpretation that she could be a goddess of antiquity. This interpretation is also supported by the framing of the cameo. For the frame, made of filigree gold, is designed in the style that was intended to emulate the art of antiquity as the "archaeological style". It also makes it possible to date the piece of jewellery, which can be worn as a brooch and as a pendant, to the years around 1880. The pendant loop is quite large, so that it can be worn on a textile strap - if the piece is to be worn as a brooch, the loop can simply be removed thanks to a hook on the back. A wonderfully high-quality piece of historicist jewellery that has found its way to us from London.

Estimación:€1,490

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