Victorian 15ct Gold & Shell Cameo Brooch Of A Classical Ladies Head

A pretty brooch composed of a finely carved shell cameoA layered stone or shell in which the design is cut in relief where the main design is carved onto the top layer and the remainder is carved away to reveal the next layer using the natural colours of the stone or shell to produce the different shadings of the carving. This is done in shell, coral, lava and various stones. surrounded by a 15ct62.5% pure gold (or 625 parts pure gold and 375 parts other metals). Popular during the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras but was discontinued in the mid-1930s. gold mount with rope work detail. The cameo is typical of the late VictorianJewellery made in the the Victorian era (1839-1901). period, circa 1880, and would most likely have been carved in Naples, Italy. The carving of the classical lady is of particularly good quality with attention to detail. it is not a large brooch so it is easy to wear on a lapel or a dress.