Brooch
ca. 1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This shell cameo brooch may have been intended to hold hair or an image in the compartment at the back so that it could function as a sentimental jewel commemorating the dead or acknowledging a close relationship.
A cameo is a carving in relief, often exploiting the natural layering and contrasting colours of the stone. Carving in a hardstone such as agate was a slow process. Carving in shell was much quicker and therefore cheaper. By the middle of the 19th century, shell carving had come to dominate production in both Italy and France.
Ancient heads and mythological scenes, such as the Three Graces on this cameo, were copied or adapted from antique gems.
A cameo is a carving in relief, often exploiting the natural layering and contrasting colours of the stone. Carving in a hardstone such as agate was a slow process. Carving in shell was much quicker and therefore cheaper. By the middle of the 19th century, shell carving had come to dominate production in both Italy and France.
Ancient heads and mythological scenes, such as the Three Graces on this cameo, were copied or adapted from antique gems.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | shell cameo, gold, garnet |
| Brief description | Brooch with a cameo of the Three Graces, England, about 1850. Shell cameo set in gold set with garnets; on the back a glazed compartment |
| Physical description | Brooch with a cameo of the Three Graces. Shell cameo set in gold set with garnets; on the back a glazed compartment |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Miss Edith M. Dunne |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This shell cameo brooch may have been intended to hold hair or an image in the compartment at the back so that it could function as a sentimental jewel commemorating the dead or acknowledging a close relationship. A cameo is a carving in relief, often exploiting the natural layering and contrasting colours of the stone. Carving in a hardstone such as agate was a slow process. Carving in shell was much quicker and therefore cheaper. By the middle of the 19th century, shell carving had come to dominate production in both Italy and France. Ancient heads and mythological scenes, such as the Three Graces on this cameo, were copied or adapted from antique gems. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.91-1952 |
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| Record created | April 7, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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