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 19^th 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