Antique Shell Cameo Gold Pendant of Flora, c. 1880

Shell cameos with mythological motifs were mainly created in Italy in the 19th century for travellers on a Grand Tour. This so-called cavalier tour, which was intended to improve the traveller's education, led to ancient buildings and the art collections of Rome and Naples. The early tourists brought back small souvenirs from their journey across the Alps to commemorate their experiences on their Italian trip. The present cameo was probably also made in Italy and found its way to Germany from there. The oval cameo depicts a figure from classical mythology: we see the goddess Flora, recognisable by the lavish floral decoration in her hair. The immortal lady, young, beautiful and graceful, was the goddess of spring and flowers. The artists depicted Flora as a graceful maiden adorned with flowers, similar to a Greek spring chorus - and this is precisely the form in which we encounter her in this gem. An elaborate gold setting makes the depiction wearable as a brooch. It shows a pattern of chased serrated bands and fine twisted cords. Although the setting already shows some traces of history - it is slightly dented here and there - the goddess has not yet lost her good humour and looks happily into the future. The cameo came to us from southern Germany.

Estimate:£665.21

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