Antique Cameos: old victorian, shell, coral and hardstone cameos, vintage jewellery

Material: Cornelian Shell, 18K gold tested .
Size: 2 1/2” by 2” only cameo is 2 1/8” by 1 5/8”.
Date and Origin: Circa 1860 Italy, frame could be English.
Conditions: Some natural shell lines slightly visible from the front, more visible when cameo is backlit, no stress lines at all. Some scratches on the back. The point of St. Michael nose seems to be a very bit worn. It is not visible by naked eye and only visible through a loupe and only if the cameo is put in some positions. Looking at it from the front it is really invisible by naked eye. Mentioned for accuracy.

More than Museum Quality and huge cameo depicting a rarest subject, St. Michael the Archangel slaying the devil, after a painting from 1635 by Guido Reni (4 November 1575 – 18 August 1642) who was a prominent Italian painter of high-Baroque style, the same painter who also was the author of the fresco in Palazzo Rospigliosi in Rome depicting the chariot of Aurora. The painting of St. Michael is now in the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione, in Rome. This cameo is simply incredible. A real work of art from another one, the painting. The carver has fully respected the subject of the painting making this cameo an outstanding work of art. I'm speechless looking at it. Everything is masterly rendered. Look even at his sandals, they are just the same of the painting. This cameo has a such strength inside who makes it really desirable, it is a breathtaking cameo. I could not hope to find a such highest quality St. Michael. I’m really speechless looking at a such beauty. Each details is so finely carved that it is incredible. Speaking about the frame I can say that it is a more than elaborate and gorgeous massive gold frame which completes this artwork wonderfully. This is one of most beautiful cameos I have ever seen, the pictures speak by themselves. This is another masterly carved cameo. A very desirable collectors piece, rarest and museum quality cameo.

A bit of History:

Michael is an archangel in Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition. He is viewed as the field commander of the Army of God. He is mentioned by name in the Book of Daniel, the Book of Jude and the Book of Revelation. In the book of Daniel, Michael appears as "one of the chief princes" who in Daniel's vision comes to the angel Gabriel's aid in his contest with the angel of Persia (Dobiel), and is also described there as the advocate of Israel and "great prince who stands up for the children of your [Daniel's] people". The name Michael means "One who is like God," as so, the name was said to have been the battle cry of the angels in the war in heaven against Satan and his followers, defying them through the very question of the nature of the Lord that those fallen ones were by themselves led to dismiss.

Much of the late detail about Michael was transmitted to Christianity through the Book of Enoch, whence it was taken up and further elaborated. In late medieval Christianity, Michael, together with Saint George, became the patron saint of chivalry, and of the first chivalric order of France, the Order of Saint Michael of 1469. In the British honours system, a chivalric order founded in 1818 is also named for these two saints, the Order of St Michael and St George. St Michael is also considered in many Christian circles as the patron saint of the warrior. Police officers and soldiers, particularly paratroopers, regard him as their patron. He is also a patron of Germany and of the city of Brussels. Roman Catholics refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael.