First Empire Napoleonic Portrait Necklace

The cameo at the center of this exceptional pendant is a stunning example of the art of gem engraving during the Renaissance. It likely dates to the early 17th century and features a sacrificial scene inspired by the Greco-Roman era. The central flaming altar is flanked by two figures preparing to sacrifice a ram, while a figure in a lion skin blowing horns stands in the left corner. The carver brilliantly uses the natural layers of the stone to achieve the illusion of shadow and musculature on the figures. A second, smaller cameo is set at the top of the pendant, while a myriad of multi-colored gems, pearls and enamel adorns the 18K gold setting. A large Baroque pearl suspended from an enamel dragon finishes the design, which embodies the opulence and theatricality of jewels from the Renaissance age. Cameos and intaglios were highly popular amongst wealthy connoisseurs in Renaissance Italy, and owning the finest pieces was the privilege of princes. Although they were often elaborately mounted for display alone, cameos were also frequently worn as pendants, surrounded by enameled and stone-set gold frames. Such pieces were particularly prized by the Medici and Lorraine families, many of which can now be seen at the National Archeological Museum in Florence. Very few Renaissance cameos...

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THIS IS A SUPERB VICTORIAN PICTURE LOCKET NECKLACE WITH A HAND CARVED HARDSTONE CAMEO OF A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. THE LOCKET HANGS FROM A WONDERFUL BOOK BELCHER CHAIN. THE NECKLACE DATES TO C1860-1890. The locket features a stunning hard stone hand carved Cameo of a woman in exquisite clorthes with a beautiful face, wonderful hair and wearing a pendant earring. The work of the artisan is absolutely superb. Carving hardstone cameos requires much greater skill and artistry than shell cameos. This white and black onyx carving is magnificent. The locket is Gold-Filled with a braided surround on the front. The reverse has an open work filigree design. The chain is a wonderful gold filled belcher link chain of great beauty. I love the design of the 3 bales with their wonderful finish. The Victorian book chain...

An Important Victorian hardstone intaglio necklace, composed of eight Roman intaglios depicting seven of the Olympian gods, with a central drop depi...

Collier ancien en or rose 9 carats (350 millièmes) de la fin du 19ème siècle, à maillons filigranés en forme d'éventail alternés de semences de perles. Le motif central, de forme éga...

Drapery First French Empire necklace in 18 karat yellow gold. This necklace is adorned with five hexagonal plaques chiseled and enameled in midnight blue, centered with carnelian cab...