Victorian Hard Stone Agate Cameo Stickpin of Psyche

We love our wonderfully esoteric Grotesque man (or "other") crafted by a talented unknown carver in the 19th century from a chunk of the most desirable orange-red toned coral. Connoisseurs of literature or theater or the arts understand the term Grotesque as referring to fantastical, exaggerated or distorted representations, usually of the human face or figure. (The word "grotesque" originates from the Italian "grottesca", meaning of a cave" (grotto = cave in Italian) and refers to doubled, metamorphosed, or altered forms). Originally Italian, the concept of the Grotesque was used in French and German literature as well, and is a an integral part of English literature and theatre (The Theatre of the Grotesque preceded the Theatre of the Absurd) today. We find our Grotesque stickpin guy (gal) to be not grotesque at all but endearing, with his (or her) exaggerated features and droopy skin folds. And as a reference to classic theatre, this coral stickpin...

Victorian flying eagle stickpin in 18K yellow gold and set with a diamond. It will highlight a lapel with its dramatic bravura. The eagle is 3/4" w...

Cherubs dancing on clouds adorn this heavenly antique bull's mouth shell cameo brooch carved in mid century France by a Parisian by the name of J. Mouhe and set with an ornate 18K go...

Georgian shell cameo of a young women set in an 18K gold cannettile bezel. The classical motif of the cameo suggests it was acquired by a traveler on the G...

Finely carved brooch of the goddess Demeter (Roman: Ceres), goddess of agriculture, her hair wrapped in what appears to be a scarf of grain or corn. The impo...

Victorian stickpin of a bearded collie or English sheepdog in Essex crystal and set in an 18K twisted rope border around its frame and a large 9K gold pin that measures 4.25 inches long including the pin. Keep your lovely furry companion with you all day. The crystals are carved in reverse or intaglio into the flat back to create a three-dimension trompe l'oeil effect. The image is then painted in realistic detail. The scale of this Essex crystal dog pin is quite unusual and especially wonderful. We rarely seem find such spectacular Essex crystal representations of dogs. Note that one of the photos shows the model with 2 Essex crystal stickpins...

Stickpin features an oval agate tablet measuring approximately 16.8 x 11.8 mm Translucent with striking white contrasting brown color Bezel set in a gold surround that can uniquely pivot and rotate to display either side of stone Both sides are carved to depict the tale of Perseus slaying Medusa Medusa is smokey brown with wild snake hair and her iconic Gorgan wings Opposite side depicts three male...

Centering an oval-shaped tablet of banded agate measuring 9.5 x 13.5 mm Opaque reddish orange with carved cameo on gray-white band Depicting a lamb asleep on a cross - symbolic of t...

Beautifully made original Victorian high-relief carnelian hard stone cameo done in 14K surrounded by natural seed pearls and rose cut diamonds. Dimensions 1 1/2” in diameter. Condi...

A Victorian gold stickpin collection, all in banded agate, is for sale as a group or as an individual item. Banded Agate makes a handsome contrast with clothing in any texture or color. All were made c. 1860 in England and all are in perfect condition. #BLRND is an orb of opaque beige, white and chocolate with a gold cap. It is 3 1/2 inches high with a twisted pin. Price:$350, The large black oval pin with the white inner oval and gold center is $500 and c, 1890. # OVBLK, The Greek Key pin has been sold. The round brown and black with vertical white stripe is set in a gold backing and has a twisted gold pin. It is #BBV c. 1870. Price $475. It is 3 1/2 in long c. 1860-70. The black banded agate...

Antique Victorian suite crafted in 9kt yellow gold featuring green and white agate. Includes a brooch depicting a lady in profile adorned with ...

This is an antique Victorian 9 karat gold round sized agate brooch created with lovely seed pearls. The agate has a dark brown hue surrounded by thirty-three beautiful seed pearls. S...