Antique chalcedony agate cameo in gold mounting with half seed pearls by Unknown artist
Antique chalcedony agate cameo in gold mounting with half seed pearls by Unknown artist
Antique chalcedony agate cameo in gold mounting with half seed pearls by Unknown artist
Antique chalcedony agate cameo in gold mounting with half seed pearls by Unknown artist
Antique chalcedony agate cameo in gold mounting with half seed pearls by Unknown artist
Antique chalcedony agate cameo in gold mounting with half seed pearls by Unknown artist
Antique chalcedony agate cameo in gold mounting with half seed pearls by Unknown artist
Antique chalcedony agate cameo in gold mounting with half seed pearls by Unknown artist

Antique chalcedony agate cameo in gold mounting with half seed pearls 1880

Unknown artist

GoldCameo
Currently unavailable via Gallerease

  • About the artwork

    Antique jewelry object group: brooch

    Condition: excellent condition
      -  (more info on our condition scale)

    Country of origin: Netherlands

    Style: Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from themiddle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveaustyle have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
      -  See also: Victorianor more info on styles

    Period: ca. 1880
      -  (fashion and events & facts of this era)

    Source of inspiration: Mythology

    Theme: Bacchus

    Material: 14K red gold
      -  (more info on precious metals)

    Technique: Cameo is a method of carving, or an item of jewellery or vessel made in this manner. It features a raised (positive) relief image. There are three main materials for Cameo carving; Shells or Agate (called a Hardstone cameo), and glass. Cameos can beproduced by setting a carved relief, such as a portrait, onto a background of a contrasting colour. This is called an assembled cameo. Alternately, a cameo can be carved directly out of a material with integral layers or banding, such as (banded) agateor layered glass, where different layers have different colours. Sometimes dyes are used to enhance these colours. Cameos are often worn as jewellery. Stone cameos of great artistry were made in Greece dating back as far as the 6th century BC. They werevery popular in Ancient Rome, and one of the most famous stone cameos from this period is the Gemma Claudia made for the Emperor Claudius. The technique has since enjoyed periodic revivals, notably in the early Renaissance, and again in the 17th, 18thand 19th centuries.

    Extra information: Bacchus - This represents a faun wearing a vine leaf crown on his head. A ram's leg appears on his shoulder, which could refer to the Greek myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece. On the other hand looking at the grape decoration in the hair one could also deducethat the person depicted is Bacchus. (He is described as being womanly or "man-womanish")
    Bacchus to the Greek and Dionysus or Dionysos to the Romans, the god of wine, represents not only the intoxicating power of wine, but also its social and beneficial influences. He is the patron deity of agriculture and the theatre. He was also known asthe Liberator (Eleutherios), freeing one from one's normal self, by madness, ecstasy, or wine. His divine mission was to mingle the music of the aulos and to bring an end to care and worry. There is also an aspect of Dionysus on his relationship to the"cult of the souls", and the scholar Xavier Riu writes that Dionysus presided over communication between the living and the dead.
    Bacchus was the son of Jupiter (Zeus) and Semele. Juno (Hera), to gratify her resentment against Semele, contrived a plan for her destruction. Jove took the infant Bacchus and gave him in charge to the Nysacan nymphs and for their care were rewarded byJupiter. When Bacchus grew up he discovered the culture of the vine and the mode of extracting its precious juice. Juno struck him with madness but he was cured by the goddess Rhea who taught him how to show the people the cultivation of the vine.
    The name Bacchus came into use in ancient Greece during the 5th century BC. It refers to the cries with which he was worshipped at the Bacchanalia, frenetic celebrations in his honor. He is viewed as the promoter of civilization, a lawgiver, and lover of peace - as well as the patron deity of agriculture and the theater.
    For more information on Bacchus see Wikipedia (opens in new window) Bacchus - Bacchus or Dionysus or Dionysos is the ancient Greek god of wine, wine cups, wineskin, grapes, theater, and fertility. The god who inspires ritual madness, joyful worship, and ecstasy, carnivals, celebration and a major figure of Greek mythology. Heis included as one of the twelve Olympians in some lists. Dionysus is typical of the god of the epiphany, "the god that comes". He was also known as Bacchus, the name adopted by the Romans and the frenzy he induces, bakkheia. In addition to winemaking,he is the patron deity of agriculture and the theater. Hailed as an Asiatic foreigner, he was thought to have had strong ties to the East and to Ethiopia in the South. He was also known as the Liberator (Eleutherios), freeing one from one's normal self,by madness, ecstasy or wine.The divine mission of Dionysus was to mingle the music of the aulos and to bring an end to care and worry. Scholars have discussed Dionysus' relationship to the "cult of the souls" and his ability to preside over communication between the living and the dead.

    The bull, the serpent, the ivy and the wine are the signs of the characteristic Dionysian atmosphere, and Dionysus is strongly associated with satyrs, centaurs, and sileni. He is often shown riding a leopard, wearing a leopard skin, or in a chariot drawn by panthers, and may also be recognized by the thyrsus he carries. Besides the grapevine and its wild barren alter-ego, the toxic ivy plant, both sacred to him, the fig was also his symbol. The pinecone that tipped his thyrsus linked him to Cybele, andthe pomegranate linked him to Demeter. (from: Wikipedia)

    Precious stones:One chalcedony cameo and24 half seed pearls
      -  (more info on precious stones)

    Birthstones: Pearl is the birthstone (or month stone) for June.
      -  (more info on birthstones)

    Hallmarks: The Dutch control mark representing an oak leaf and that was in use between 1852 and 1906.
      -  (more info on hallmarks)

    Dimensions: 3,36 cm (1,32 inch) x 2,52 cm (0,99 inch)

    Weight: 10,80 gram (6,94 dwt)

    Reference Nº: 15178-0120

    Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

  • About the artist

    It might happen that an artist or maker is unknown.

    Some works are not to be determined by whom it is made or it is made by (a group of) craftsmen. Examples are statues from the Ancient Time, furniture, mirroirs, or signatures that are not clear or readible but as well some works are not signed at all.

    As well you can find the following description:

    •“Attributed to ….” In their opinion probably a work by the artist, at least in part

    •“Studio of ….” or “Workshop of” In their opinion a work executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision

    •“Circle of ….” In their opinion a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil

    •“Style of ….” or “Follower of ….” In their opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil; may be contemporary or nearly contemporary

    •“Manner of ….” In their opinion a work in the style of the artist but of a later date

    •“After ….” In their opinion a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist

    •“Signed…”, “Dated….” or “Inscribed” In their opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist. The addition of a question mark indicates an element of doubt

    •"With signature ….”, “With date ….”, “With inscription….” or “Bears signature/date/inscription” in their opinion the signature/ date/ inscription has been added by someone other than the artist

Artwork details