Vintage Romantic Brooch: The 1860 Victorian Angel Skin Coral Cameo of Venus and Cupid

Esteemed from the Grand Victorian Period, circa 1860, this exquisite brooch epitomises the era's love for mythological themes, possibly depicting Venus and Cupid. Crafted in 14K red gold, its centrepiece is a neo-classical cameo, delicately carved on angel skin coral, set within a sumptuous gold mounting. The piece echoes the Victorian affinity for eclectic revival, drawing inspiration from global cultures, and stands as a testament to the period's ornamental extravagance. It's a poetic memento from an era where jewellery transcended mere adornment, embodying stories and emotions.

Antique jewelry object group
Vintage Romantic Brooch: The 1860 Victorian Angel Skin Coral Cameo of Venus and Cupid

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
unknown

Style
Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
See also: Victorian
more info on styles

Style specifics
The Grand Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) into three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 - 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 - 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 - 1901).

We consider this to be of the Grand Victorian Period.

This second Victorian period is famous for its ostentatious pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From ca. 1850 wealthy English had reported about jewelry from India and Japan, which heavily inspired the jewelers of this period. This period also corresponds with the death of Queen Victoria's husband King Albert making mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific for this period.

Period
ca. 1860
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
Mythology

Theme
Venus and Cupid (?)

Material
14K red gold (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Technique
Cameo is a method of carving, or an item of jewellery or vessel made in this manner. It features a raised (positive) relief image. There are three main materials for Cameo carving; Shells or Agate (called a Hardstone cameo), and glass. Cameos can be produced by setting a carved relief, such as a portrait, onto a background of a contrasting colour. This is called an assembled cameo. Alternately, a cameo can be carved directly out of a material with integral layers or banding, such as (banded) agate or layered glass, where different layers have different colours. Sometimes dyes are used to enhance these colours. Cameos are often worn as jewellery. Stone cameos of great artistry were made in Greece dating back as far as the 6th century BC. They were very popular in Ancient Rome, and one of the most famous stone cameos from this period is the Gemma Claudia made for the Emperor Claudius. The technique has since enjoyed periodic revivals, notably in the early Renaissance, and again in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Extra information
The needle that seems to be original to the brooch is made of iron

Precious stones
One angel skin coral

Hallmarks
No trace.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
3,20 cm (1,26 inch) x 1,54 cm (0,61 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
4,90 gram (3,15 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
23348-0329

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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