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Antique Cameo Brooch, Yellow Gold

About the Item

Authentic 19°century Brooch in 12k yellow gold structure with a central cameo finely carved with lady motif. This cameo was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths The lady rapresented is Beatrice Cenci. Beatrice Cenci was a young Roman noblewoman executed for patricide and then risen to the role of popular heroine. Daughter of Count Francesco Cenci, a violent and dissolute man. It is said that, exasperated by paternal violence and sexual abuse, Beatrice reached the decision to organize the murder of Francesco with the complicity of her stepmother Lucrezia, the brothers Giacomo and Bernardo, the castellan Olimpio Calvetti [5] and the farrier Marzio da Fioran called the Catalan. Twice the attempt failed: the first time she tried to suppress it with poison, the second with an ambush of local brigands. The third, stunned by the opium supplied by Giacomo and mixed with a drink, was assaulted in his sleep: Marzio broke his legs with a rolling pin, Olimpio finished him hitting him in the skull and throat with a nail and a hammer. To hide the crime, the conspirators tried to simulate an accidental death by falling: a hole was opened in the rotten boards of a balcony of the Rocca di Petrella, trying to insert the body. The thing failed: the hole was too small. They then decided to throw it off the balustrade. On 9 September 1598 the body of Francesco was found in a vegetable garden at the foot of the Rocca. After the funeral the count was quickly buried in the local church of Santa Maria. The family members, who did not participate in the funeral ceremonies, left the castle and returned to Rome in the family home, Palazzo Cenci, near the Ghetto. Cameo 3.2 cm x 2.7 cm Total weight 11.90 gr Brooch dimension 4 x 3.7 cm RF + FHA For any inquiries,please contact the seller through the message center.
  • Metal:
    Gold,Yellow Gold
  • Weight:
    11.9 g
  • Style:
    Retro
  • Place of Origin:
    Italy
  • Period:
    19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1850
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Marcianise, IT
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: SPS341stDibs: LU519310431832