Psyche or Iris
Cameo
2nd half of the 19th century (made)
2nd half of the 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This shell cameo, made by James Ronca and probably dating from the early 1870s, was presented by the artist to the Museum in 1874. It may represent Psyche, or perhaps Iris. The source could be a painting of Iris by Guy Head (1760-1800), possibly via a medallion of 1867 by Thomas Woolner. James Ronca (1826-after 1908), a carver of cameos in hardstones and shell, produced cameo portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert over a period of thirty years that were mounted in the Royal Victorian Order, the Queen's personal award for service.
While a shell cameo is somewhat easier to cut than a gemstone cameo, the basic principle is the same. The engraver, using chisels, drills and abrasives, works inwards from the surface of the blank, retaining or removing material until the subject slowly emerges. Layers of contrasting colours occurring naturally within the chosen stone or shell are skilfully used to create the image.
While a shell cameo is somewhat easier to cut than a gemstone cameo, the basic principle is the same. The engraver, using chisels, drills and abrasives, works inwards from the surface of the blank, retaining or removing material until the subject slowly emerges. Layers of contrasting colours occurring naturally within the chosen stone or shell are skilfully used to create the image.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Psyche or Iris (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Shell cameo |
| Brief description | Cameo, shell, Psyche (or perhaps Iris), by James Ronca, English, about 1870-74 |
| Physical description | Figure of Psyche, or perhaps Iris |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Given by the artist in 1874. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This shell cameo, made by James Ronca and probably dating from the early 1870s, was presented by the artist to the Museum in 1874. It may represent Psyche, or perhaps Iris. The source could be a painting of Iris by Guy Head (1760-1800), possibly via a medallion of 1867 by Thomas Woolner. James Ronca (1826-after 1908), a carver of cameos in hardstones and shell, produced cameo portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert over a period of thirty years that were mounted in the Royal Victorian Order, the Queen's personal award for service. While a shell cameo is somewhat easier to cut than a gemstone cameo, the basic principle is the same. The engraver, using chisels, drills and abrasives, works inwards from the surface of the blank, retaining or removing material until the subject slowly emerges. Layers of contrasting colours occurring naturally within the chosen stone or shell are skilfully used to create the image. |
| Bibliographic reference | List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington, Acquired During the Year 1874, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., p. 41 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1387-1874 |
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| Record created | May 31, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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