Gold Cameo Brooch Pendant

Cameo on blue-gray agate featuring a young woman looking toward the right. The artist intricately sculpted the white vein of the agate to bring the delicate profile to life. The youn...

A gold-mounted agate cameo brooch depicting the bust of a young woman wearing a pearl necklace. Openwork gold mounts decorated with pearls and black enamel floral motives. Ancient cl...

Cameo on pink agate featuring a young woman looking toward the wright. The artist intricately sculpted the white vein of the agate to bring the delicate profile to life. The young wo...

Cameo on orange-pinkagate featuring a young woman looking toward the left. The artist intricately sculpted the white vein of the agate to bring the delicate profile to life. This you...

Brooch in 18 karats yellow gold. Elegant and sober, this antique cameo features an oval motif in smooth openwork gold, adorned at the 4 cardinal points with a small gold pearl. The c...

Stunning antique hand carved sardonyx cameo in 14k yellow gold, wonderful for collectors of finely crafted jewelry. This convertible piece can be worn either as a brooch or as a pend...

A vintage 14 karat yellow gold shell cameo brooch pendant. The oval-shaped brooch pendant is created with a pinkish and white cameo carved female silhouette. The cameo is set in a 14...

Welcome to Artisan Antiques based in Mayfair, London - We are delighted to offer this magnificent large antique 18ct gold shell cameo brooch/pendant locket made c.1860, depicting a figurehead of Hera - a Greek mythological goddess of women, marriage and childbirth (also referred to as Juno by the Romans). Its majestic presence, distinguished design and impressive size are immediately captivating even to the untrained eye and whilst undeniably attractive and delightful even at a quick glance, it is upon closer inspection that its true splendour and intricacy can be fully appreciated. The overall design features a whole array of wonderful embellishments and craftsmanship; a profusely decorated frame made from solid 18ct gold is accented with layers of applied gold ribbons/bows, beads and twist-rope borders. What is particularly noteworthy about this frame/border is the fact it has a concave 'doughnut' like shape that contours the cameo whilst also allowing for the spinning locket design to function flawlessly. Upon unfastening the rear pin, the central cameo spins around and presents a locket with a portrait of a gentleman and the fine mechanism and craftsmanship of the central piece can be further appreciated. The portrayal of Hera 'in profile' (side on) is simply splendid with crisp engravings, attractive proportions and an almost lifelike texture/facial expression in the manner of Renaissance sculptures. The reverse side of the brooch reveals a large pin for fastening on to a coat lapel or jumper with an additional later added safety chain. Further, the bail at the top allows for this piece to be worn as a magnificent pendant necklace. All of the combined factors make this cameo brooch a wonderful collectable piece of 19th-century antique jewellery history which would not only make for an excellent display piece but an inimitable and breathtaking brooch to wear on special occasions. Not only would the aesthetic be impressionable, but as a conversation starter, this brooch may serve as the perfect occasion to share your discerning historical/antiques passion...