Western Europe, Neoclassical Period, ca. 19th century CE. A splendid brooch of a grand and wearable form with an articulating pin on the verso that enables wearability. The ovoid setting is shaped from 56.5% gold and presents 28 hemispherical pearls of opaque white hues around a hand-carved agate cameo. Boasting warm hues of vermilion, citrine, and cream, the cameo features the left-facing head of the Roman goddess Venus (Greek Aphrodite) who peers forward with a singular eye and has a pointed nose, full lips, a tapered chin, and an elegant coiffure accentuated with several bangs that spiral downward along her neck. The exterior rim of the brooch is further decorated with etched scrollwork and foliate motifs that create a sensuous presentation for this sophisticated accessory. Size (setting): 1.65" W x 2.16" H (4.2 cm x 5.5 cm); (cameo): 1.11" W x 1.62" H (2.8 cm x 4.1 cm); (pearls): 0.17" Diameter each (0.4 cm); metal quality: 56.5% gold (equivalent to 12K+); 15.5% lead, 10% silver, 9% copper; weight: 25.5 grams

Provenance: private East Coast collection, New York, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#169412

Wearable as shown. Minor abrasions to cameo and some pearls, with softening to areas of etched scrollwork and foliate motifs around exterior rim, and cleanable tarnishing along some areas of verso, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina across gold components, and wonderful preservation to finer details of cameo. Pin on verso still articulates smoothly. Old inventory or pricing label on verso.