• Material: Sardonyx Shell, 15k gold tested.
• Size:  3 2/8" by 2 7/8" only cameo is 2 3/8" by 2"
• Date and Origin: Circa 1850 Italy. Signed on the back with the initials of the carver C. E.
• Conditions: Immaculate.

Museum Quality Sardonyx large shell cameo depicting 3 putti reclining around a basket of grapes and fruit mounted with 18 kt gold tested, circa 1850. This is an incredible work of art, very detailed cameo, carved by an artist. Pictures really don't give any justice to this cameo because they were hard to take being the carving so white and reflecting the light. Seen in person this piece is really breathtaking. Look at all the details shown in this scene and at how they are incredibly detailed. Putti were a lovely and popular subject in the Victorian era but this is the first time that I see this particular scene on a cameo. The carving is relieved and three dimensional. There are three happy putti having a Bacchanalia, so called because of the grapes that they are eating, grape was the symbol fruit of Bacchus the God of Wine in Roman mythology (Dyonisus was the Greek counterpart), one is happily feeding another one and the third one is lying on the ground and his head is literally buried into the grapes. Their small and perfect noses, their round cheeks and their faces are perfect as the grapes and the basket, everything is masterly carved.  The beauty of this cameo is clearly visible and the scene is more than lovely, an outstanding cameo carved by a true artist. Their bodies have just the aspect of children bodies, so puffy and with some folds on their skin. The frame is wonderful, the chain shaped gold is so gorgeous and impressive, the right one to enhance the beauty of this cameo. Not to be missed. A very desirable collectors piece.