Antique Shell Cameo Gold Brooch of Goddess Flora, Netherlands c. 1915

Shell paintings with mythological motifs were mainly created in Italy in the 19th century for travellers on a Grand Tour. This so-called cavalier tour, which was intended to improve the traveller's education, led to ancient buildings and the art collections of Rome and Naples. The early tourists brought back small souvenirs from their journey across the Alps to commemorate their experiences on their Italian trip. The present cameo was probably also created in Italy and found its way from there to the Netherlands, where it was given a gold frame and made wearable as a brooch. The subject of the cut depiction is extremely appropriate for our garden-loving neighbours: For the oval cameo depicts a figure from classical mythology, the goddess Flora, recognisable by the lavish floral decoration in her hair in beautiful three-dimensionality with a slightly downcast gaze. The immortal lady, blessed with youthful beauty according to ancient legends, was the goddess of spring and flowers. Artists from different eras depicted Flora as a graceful maiden adorned with flowers, similar to a Greek spring chorus - and it is precisely in this form that we encounter her in this shell cameo. The quality of the carving, in which the details are lovingly crafted, should be emphasised here. This very beautiful cameo from around 1915 came to us from Amsterdam.

Estimate:£586.1

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