Large Antique Shell Cameo Pendant Brooch
Large Antique Shell Cameo Pendant Brooch
The large, antique, shell cameo brooch has an oval shell cameo (41mm x 34mm), of a lady feeding a bird (probably Leda and the Swan - Zeus) in a classical style, finely carved, and set in a plain tube setting with an elaborate surround. The surround is made up of hollow applied decoration on a rounded rectangular frame. The surround has a hinged loop at the top of the reverse side, allowing the brooch to be used alternatively as a pendant, and a safety pin and chain is suspended from this loop. The surround has no marks but has been tested by electronic scan to be 4ct (16.7%) yellow gold.
In the 19th Century there was no requirement to mark gold items and there was no rigorous standardisation of gold grades to values like 9ct or 18ct, thus low-grade gold alloys, with a high enough gold content not to tarnish significantly, were in use.
Weight 25.9g
Age Circa 1880
Dimensions 65mm x 57mm
Condition Very good
Stock Code AJ719
