Large allegorical coral cameo Brooch, c1850

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Auction Begins: 28/08/26 09:00:00 BST

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LOT NUMBER 45
LOT NUMBER 45

Large allegorical coral cameo Brooch, c1850

A fine example of high Victorian craftsmanship, this is a very rare brooch that features a high relief plaque carved from angel skin coral. It depicts a rather matronly lady holding a bow with a winged cherubic figure attending her. There is clearly an element of the playfully erotic here and the lady may well be intended to be Artemis/Diana and her attendant Eros/Cupid. Both are associated with the bow (Cupid's arrows are well known and Diana was the huntress Goddess) but it almost seems here that Artemis is withholding Eros' weapon from him! This may, perhaps, be rather conjectural but the carver's skill is not and the large piece of pale coral has been very deeply and sensitively cut to produce a true sculpture in miniature. The plaque is mounted in rolled gold which is unmarked and there is a safety chain to the reverse.

Size: Ht 48mm x Width 39.5mm x Depth 12.4mm
Weight: 24 grams
Date: c1850
Condition: Very good condition; the safety chain lacking its original pin
Estimate: £200 – 250

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