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Georgian 15K Gold & Hardstone Satyr & Nymph Cameo Earrings


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Directory: Estate Jewelry: Gold: Pre Victorian: Pre 1837 VR: Item # 1393709
Kensington House Antiques
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Maryland
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An extraordinarily fine pair of Georgian hardstone cameo earrings set in 15K yellow gold. The cameos, certainly of Italian origin, and possibly several hundred years older than the earrings themselves, are carved from a grayish-green stone with white and rust banding. The images depict a satyr with exaggerated pointy ears and a leering grin, and a female companion with a floral wreath in her hair. In both, the grayish-green stone forms the background, while the facial features are picked out in white, and the floral headdresses have a faint rust tint. The gold settings have cut-down collets and a gentle ogee-shaped outer frame. The cameos are relatively thin and appear to be backed with black wax or pitch to hold them securely in place. The closures are front-to-back hinges. Georgian-era cameo jewelry is quite difficult to find. Tested and guaranteed 15K.
  • Origin: England, ca. 1800.
  • Condition: very good; no damage or wear except for a small fracture at the uppermost edge of the background in the female cameo visible under magnification.
  • Dimensions: 1/2” x 5/8” long (excluding wires). Weight: 7.1 grams.