Material: Sardonyx Shell,  15k gold marked.
Size: just over 1 5/8" by 1 3/8", cameo itself 1 3/8" by 1 1/8", at the highest point the carving jumps out for about 5/8" including the background.
Date and Origin: Circa 1850 Italy.
Conditions:  Pristine. A slighest yellowish line of his forefront which can be barely seen through the pictures, almost invisible by naked eye.

This is a Museum Quality  cameo depicting an Angel portrayed in front face. I'm speechless looking at this cameo and at its carving, The three-dimensionality of this piece is more than amazing. This cameo is an unique and rarest work of art. Its surpassing beauty is breathtaking. The beauty and the serenity of his face are sensational, his facial features are lovely and so finely made. His straight nose is perfect, his lips lightly curved in a smile are like true. His face is a perfectly made oval. He's looking upwards and on his face there is an expression of ecstasy. His dress is finely decorated with a big cross and his curly and long hair are softly lying on his shoulders. The skill of the carver can be truly seen in this artwork. The shell is so polished and brilliant that is hard to believe that this cameo is about 150 years old. Finding a rarest piece like this is hardest, and finding it is so mint conditions is today really a mission impossible. The pictures, even if wonderful, really don't give to this cameo any justice, seen in person it takes your breath away. Not to be missed.   


A bit of History:

An angel is a supernatural being or spirit found in various religions and mythologies. In Zoroastrianism and Abrahamic religions they are often depicted as benevolent celestial beings who act as intermediaries between Heaven and Earth, or as guardian spirits or a guiding influence. Other roles of angels include protecting and guiding human beings, and carrying out God's tasks. The term "angel" has also been expanded to various notions of spirits found in many other religious traditions. The theological study of angels is known as "angelology". In art, angels are often depicted with bird-like wings on their back, a halo, robes and various forms of glowing light. The most influential Christian angelic hierarchy was that put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 4th or 5th century in his book De Coelesti Hierarchia (On the Celestial Hierarchy). During the Middle Ages, many schemes were proposed, some drawing on and expanding on Pseudo-Dionysius, others suggesting completely different classifications. According to medieval Christian theologians, the angels are organized into several orders, or "Angelic Choirs". Pseudo-Dionysius (On the Celestial Hierarchy) and Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica) drew on passages from the New Testament, specifically Ephesians 1:21 and Colossians 1:16, to develop a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels, with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs. Although both authors drew on the New Testament, the Biblical canon is relatively silent on the subject. Thus these hierarchies are highly speculative.
First Sphere
The first sphere angels serve as the heavenly counselors and they are:
Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones or Ophanim.

Second Sphere
Angels of the Second Sphere work as heavenly governors and they are:
Dominions or Lordships, Virtues or Strongholds, Powers or Authorities.

Third Sphere
Angels who function as heavenly messengers and soldiers and they are:
Principalities or Rulers, Archangels, Angels.