19th-Century Victorian Cameo Earrings – Mythology and Femininity in Gold 1830

Unknown artist

GoldCameoEnamel
€ 4.500

Adin Fine Antique Jewellery

• About the artwork

  These extraordinary Victorian earrings, crafted around 1830, tell a story of refined elegance and symbolism. Finely carved cameos, encased in rich 18K yellow gold and highlighted with black enamel, depict timeless profiles adorned with crescent moonsand botanical motifs. These design elements suggest ties to mythology and nature, reflecting the Victorian fascination with storytelling through jewellery. A striking testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, these earrings are not just adornments butartefacts that connect us to an era steeped in beauty and meaning.

  Antique jewelry object group
  earrings long hanging
  
  Condition
  in very good condition, though there are slight imperfections on the surface of the black enamel.
  more info on our condition scale
  
  Country of origin
  Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of French or Belgian origin.
  
  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: Victorian
  more info on styles
  
  Period
  ca. 1830
  Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.
  
  Source of inspiration
  Mythology (?)
  
  Theme
  Mythology and femininity, reflected in crescent moons and botanical motifs, symbolising harmony and natural beauty.
  
  Material 18K
  yellow gold (touchstone tested)
  more info on precious metals
  
  Techniques
  Enamelling is an old and widely-adopted technology. The ancient Egyptians applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The ancient Greeks, Celts, Russians, and Chinese also used enameling processes on metal objects. Enamel is the colorful result offusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. The powder melts and flows and hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass or ceramic. According to some sources, the word enamel comes fromthe High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail. Used as a noun, "an enamel" is a usually small decorative object, coated with enamel coating, such as a champlevé or a cloisonné (different techniques).
  
  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.
  
  Hallmarks
  Illegible remains.
  more info on hallmarks
  
  Dimensions
  height 7,60 cm (2,99 inch)
  see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches
  
  Weight
  9,90 gram (6,37 dwt)
  
  Adin Reference Nº
  24278-0417
  
  Copyright photography
  Adin, fine antique jewellery
  
  

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• 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

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