A beautifully carved antique cameo depicting a female figure in profile, believed to be a Bacchante. Bacchantes were female followers of Bacchus, the Greco-Roman God of wine and festivity. She has been finely detailed with long curling hair that is tidied up and decorated with a vine leaf garland. Her white figure is carved in high relief and the background is a contrasting dove grey hue. Gorgeously captured with a classical expression. Interestingly, studying the way cameo noses have been carved can help to date antique examples. Straight noses were predominantly used during the Victorian era. This piece is carved Sardonyx shell, such cameos are fairly rare due to the length of time taken for the shell to grow. The cameo measures 17 mm x 14 mm and the ring face measures 21 mm x 18 mm. Set in a substantial gold mount that hugs the slightly irregular cameo outline, creating an ancient aesthetic. A beautiful antique jewel that dates to c.1900, the end of the Victorian era and the turn of the 20th Century. The shank might be slightly later.
Measurements: UK ring size M – M 1/2 or US size 6 – 6 1/4
Weighs: 8.85 grams
Hallmarks: marked ‘9ct’ for 9ct gold