Antique Victorian Ariadne Hard Stone Cameo Brooch, Layaway Welcome

  
Material: Hard stone, 14k Gold marked. Size: 2 6/8" by 2 1/8", cameo itself is 2 2/8" by 1 5/8".

Date and Origin: Circa 1880/1890 Italy. Scratched on the back with the number 141. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR LARGER PICTURES. This is an outstanding and gorgeous Museum Quality cameo depicting Ariadne, the immortal wife of the wine God Dionysus. The cameo is very large and can be worn as a brooch or as a pendant, the bale can be hidden on the back when cameo is worn as a brooch.

The subject is a after a marble bust of Ariadne Roman Imperial 1st-4th century A. Now in the Vatican Museums in Rome. The carving on this cameo is really more than superb, A three-dimensional carving who evidences the magnificent beauty of the subject. Ariadne really jumps out from the background, the heigth of the cameo is about 1/2, the stone is a two layers one, pale green for the background and white for the carving.

She's pretty and has curly long hair embellished with vine leaves. The frame is another work of art, chiselled gold on the four cardinal points which evidences the cameo. A piece who really would deserve to be displayed in a Museum. Another great treat for cameos collectors.

A bit of history: Ariadne was the immortal wife of the wine-god Dionysus. There were several versions of her story. When they landed on the island of Naxos Theseus abandoned her as she slept. It was then that Dionysos discovered her and made her his wife. Some say she was later slain by the goddess Artemis or else ascended to Olympos with her husband as an immortal.

According to others Ariadne's bridal with Dionysos occurred several generations before this when the god was still travelling the earth spreading his cult. During his war against Argives with a band of sea-women, Ariadne was slain or turned to stone by King Perseus. The god descended into the underworld to recover her and brought her back with him to Olympos.

In Greek vase painting Ariadne is often depicted alongside Dionysus--either feasting with the gods of Olympos or in Bacchic scenes surrounded by dancing Satyrs and Mainades. Dionysus' discovery of the sleeping Ariadne on Naxos was also a popular scene in classical art. This one is a more than finely and amazingly carved piece, it seems just like a sculpture.

Her face is more than pretty, she is really beautiful having classical facial traits, her nose is straight and long, her mouth full and sensual, her eyes well opened and expressive her curly hair amazing. This cameo is what we can define a true work of art, look at the wonderful pictures and you'll perfectly understand why. This is another stunning example of the art of carving of the past which can't be missed, the pictures speak by themselves, a must have for any collector of works of art. TO READ HOW MY LAYAWAY PLAN WORKS. Special Notes As a rough guide United Kingdom is about 5 hours ahead of the United States East Coast and 8 hours ahead of the United States West Coast Please keep this in mind if you should have any last minute question about an item listed, thanks.

This item is in the category "Jewellery & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewellery\Cameos". The seller is "antiquecameosltd" and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Antique: Yes
2. Main Stone Creation: Natural
3. Seller Warranty: Yes
4. Material: Stone
5. Metal: Yellow Gold
6. Item Length: 2 6/8\
7. Colour: Grey
8. Main Stone: Agate
9. Brand: Unbranded
10. Type: Cameo
11. Metal Purity: 14ct
12. Era: Victorian (1837-1901)
13. Main Stone Shape: Oval
14. Base Metal: Gold
15. Jewellery Department: Fine
16. Original/Reproduction: Original
17. Unit Quantity: 1
18. Country of Origin: Italy
19. Handmade: Yes
20. Wholesale: No