• Material: Sardonyx Shell, 18K gold tested .
• Size:  3" by 2 1/2", cameo itself is 2 3/8" by 1 7/8".
• Date and Origin: Circa 1850 Italy. Scratch signed on the back.
• Conditions: A few natural shell lines, barely visible when backlit otherwise immaculate.

Highest Museum Quality and huge cameo of a rarest subject "The First Whisper of Love" after a sculpture by William Calder Marshall, a Scottish sculptor who made The First Whisper of Love in 1846 for the International Exhibition of 1851 in London. (see original pictures below). The carving is more than superb and the details are amazing. The carving is very high relieved from the background, look at one of Cupid's wings, it is completely detached from the background as well as the head of Psyche. This is a very rare depiction of Cupid and Psyche. Her face is so pretty and sweet and she appears just blushing while listening at the whispered love words. Her curly hair crowned by a garland of roses, her shoulder's veil is flying in the wind and leaves a part of her breast nude. Her arm delicately lifted up and her finger is elegantly pointed. The intricate detail on the folds of Psyche's gowns and her pose are absolutely amazing, Look at how her head is slightly turned and lowered showing all her shyness, it is incredible. The figure of Psyche really speaks to anyone looking at her. Cupid hides an arrow behind himself and he's waiting the right moment to shoot it and makes Psyche falls in love with him.  Cupid's wings and the details of the veil that goes through his wings are stunning. Both bodies are perfectly made and the proportions are superb. This cameo is very large and the depicted scene is really imposing with the abundance of perfect and superbly carved details. The frame is another work of art and makes the cameo even more important. This cameo gives a lot of good feelings to anyone who looks at it and gives sweetest sensations, the delicacy of the sentiments which come out from it is truly touching.  Love can be really seen in the expression of the two lovers. This subject is more than amazing and more than rare, this is the third one which I have found in so many years of cameo trade. One of most beautiful cameos that I have ever seen, the pictures speak by themselves. This is another masterly carved cameo. A very desirable collectors piece, rare and museum quality cameo.

A bit of History:
 
William Calder Marshall (18 March 1813 – 16 June 1894) was a Scottish sculptor. Born in Edinburgh, he attended the Royal High School and Edinburgh University before enrolling at the Royal Academy school in London in 1834, where he won the silver medal. In 1836 he went to Rome to pursue his study of classical sculpture, staying for two years. An exhibition at Westminster Hall in 1844 proved to be the turning point of his career, leading to many commissions for public monuments to decorate the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Albert Memorial. He was the most prolific exhibitor of statuary at the Royal Academy in the Victorian age.