• Material: Sardonyx Shell, 15k gold tested.
• Size: 2 7/8" by 2 1/2", cameo itself is 2 5/8" by 2 1/8".
• Date and Origin: Circa 1850 Italy.
• Conditions: Perfect.

This is a Museum Quality cameo of a surpassing beauty, I have never seen this subject before now. The carving is something of gorgeous even if it can't be totally appreciated from the pictures as this cameo is hard to photograph because the carving and the background are so bright and polished that reflect the light. The scene depicts a Queen (or perhaps a Princess) and three girls, who could be her daughters, offering flowers to an altar and praying. The Queen is offering a basket of flowers and the three Princesses (?) are praying. Look at all the amazing details of this cameo, the dress of the Queen is ruffled on her decollete and her cloak is edges ruffled too. The girl close to the Queen has braided hair and her hands are folded in prayer like the girl behind the queen who keeps her eyes closed. The third girl instead is praying keeping her hands crossed on her chest. The Queen pose is really amazing, she keeps her head slightly on one side and her face has a so peaceful and lovingly expression that seems just real. The three ladies are kneeled on a large embroidered cushion also embellished with tassels, the cushion stands on a floor carved with tiles. There is a sort of altar, where they are praying to, made of bricks, and a book, a lantern and a vase of flowers are on its top. Another stunning detail is the basket of flowers behind the altar, amazingly carved. To complete the scene we can find two fliying putti on a cloud above the ladies holding one a garland of flowers and the other one a garland of laurel. The whole scene is pure poetry, love and a bit of nostalgia come out from it and touch your heart. The proportions are perfect and this an important detail for a cameo who depicts a scene. The frame is simple but perfect for the intricate and rich scene depicted. This is another rarest find and a true treasure for all the collectors.