Fine Antique Brooch with Shell Cameo of Flora in Gold, c. 1900

Shell cameos with mythological motifs were mainly created in Italy in the 19th century for travelers on a Grand Tour. This so-called cavalier tour, which was intended to improve the education of travelers, 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 created in Italy and found its way from there to Germany. The small-format, oval cameo depicts a figure from classical mythology: we see the goddess Flora, recognizable 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 exactly the form in which we encounter her in this cameo. A simple yet elegant gold setting makes the depiction wearable as a brooch.

Estimate:£335.13

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