Unusual shell cameo in rose gold as a pendant with chain circa 1870

Shell cameos with mythological motifs were created in Italy in the 19th century in particular for travelers on a Grand Tour. This so-called cavalier tour, which was intended to improve the education of travelers, led to the ancient buildings, the art collections of Rome and Naples and the early tourists brought small souvenirs from their journey across the Alps, which were intended to tell of the experiences of the Italian journey. This fine rose gold pendant holds a pretty shell cameo in delicate cream tones against a reddish brown background. In fine detail, we see a young lady with flowing hair in a rare frontal "en face" depiction. She wears a rich jewellery of vine leaves and grapes in her hair. The figure is a bacchante. Like her Greek counterpart the maenad, she was a follower of the wine god Bacchus (Dionysus), who was famous and notorious for his lavish parties, the so-called "Bacchanalia". The image of the Bacchantes in Western art history is strongly influenced by the form that the originally Greek cult took among the Romans. The Roman bacchanalia probably originated from spring festivals. At the beginning of the 2nd century BC, the cult celebrations developed into excessive feasts, accompanied by dances and orgies, which took place in secret. In later centuries, bacchantes became synonymous with fun-loving revelers, especially lovers of good wine. Our shell cameo shows one of these bacchantes in detailed cut, whereby the shell of a large sea snail was used to cut it, so that the head stands out vividly. A simple frame surrounds the bezel setting as a strong bead and a small agraffe with a loop leads to the rose gold chain. A beautiful gift for someone who is not averse to the pleasures of life.

Estimación:€1,490

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