Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sculpture, Room 111, The Gilbert Bayes Gallery

Aesculapius

Cameo
ca. 1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Shell cameos are much easier to cut than those made from gemstones. Also, the raw material is cheaper and easier to acquire. They were popular in the 16th century and then again in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the passion for carved gemstones led to a parallel explosion in the market for cheaper shell cameos. They are still popular today.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleAesculapius (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Probably helmet shell (Cassis madagascariensis)
Brief description
Shell (probably helmet shell) cameo of Aesculapius, Italian, ca. 1850
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A.
Subject depicted
Summary
Shell cameos are much easier to cut than those made from gemstones. Also, the raw material is cheaper and easier to acquire. They were popular in the 16th century and then again in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the passion for carved gemstones led to a parallel explosion in the market for cheaper shell cameos. They are still popular today.
Collection
Accession number
A.38-1937

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Record createdJanuary 12, 2004
Record URL
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