Antique Brooch with Biblical Shell Cameo Set in Pinchbeck, c. 1850

Cameos of the 19th century mostly depict motifs from the realm of classical antiquity. Above all, the gods and heroes of Greek and Roman mythology were worn as a sign of humanistic education. Motifs from biblical history, on the other hand, were much less common. One scene, however, enjoyed particular popularity and was executed in numerous variations. It is the Old Testament story of Rebekka at the well, which is also shown in the present shell cameo. Rebekah was the grandniece of Abraham and lived with her family in the city of Harran. In Genesis, we are told how Abraham sends a servant to the town of his relatives to look for a bride for his son Isaac (Genesis 24-27). There he experiences a divine portent: At the well outside the city, he asks the local women for water. Rebekah provides not only for him, but also for his entourage including camels and thus reveals herself as a suitable wife for Isaac. Our cameo from around 1850 shows the scene in a reduced form. We see an idyllic river landscape with houses and trees; Rebekka stands on a bridge there. Numerous comparative examples leave no doubt about the attribution of the subject, see for example Monica Lynn Clements/Patricia Rosser Clements: "Cameos- Classical to Costume", Atglen 2008, p. 30. A setting of gilt pinchbeck, reminiscent of woven willow branches, allows the cameo to be worn as a brooch. A wonderful collector's item and a "must have" for any cameo collection!

Estimate:£423.01

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