Antique brooch with high quality shell cameo in gold, circa 1860

Cameos were already popular in Roman antiquity and experienced a new heyday first in the Renaissance and then in Neo-Classicism. Almost every wealthy lady - and many gentlemen - owned carved works depicting mythological motifs from classical antiquity. People loved the great tales of antiquity, and so in addition to deities, ancient philosophers, emperors and legendary heroes can also be found on the jewelry of the 19th century. This brooch depicts one of the most famous figures of classical antiquity in the medium of the shell cameo: Apollo, the son of Zeus, the father of the gods. In Greek mythology, Apollo was the god of music, poetry and song. Numerous adventures and incidents are entwined around him, and the fates of many other deities and figures from ancient mythology are interwoven with him. As protector of the arts, Apollo presided over the nine muses. As one of the most important gods in Greece, the famous oracle site in Delphi was dedicated to him. The cameo shows the god cut from a two-tone shell. He can be recognized by his characteristic hairstyle, which goes back to the ancient marble statue of the so-called Apollo of Belvedere - a work that is now kept in the Vatican Museums. The cameo is held by a wide frame of gold arches decorated with finely engraved tendrils. The piece of jewelry from around 1860 is beautifully preserved - and the perfect gift for anyone with an artistic talent who wants to climb the steps of Mount Parnassus.

Estimate:$1,100.49

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