Collection of Victorian cameos

I am pleased to be able to offer you a wonderful collection of Victorian cameo jewelry. 

A: sold

B: wonderful pair of Victorian 14kt. yellow gold earrings with a most unusual Gryllus cameo carving.   The unique carving is of a  Zeus and Hera depicted in the Egyptian style with Zeus as Ammon.   (Zeus depicted wearing a ram’s horn).   Excellent, all original condition.  sold

C: Cameos depicting animals are hard to find.   This carving has a dog (representing loyalty) standing next to a woman in Renaissance clothing who is holding a book.   To her left, in the background, is a castle or church tower.   On the right, flowers adorn the base of an obelisk.   The pendant is sterling silver; excellent condition, ca. 1850-70.   Size is 1 and 2/3 inches by 2 inches (not including pendant loop.)   SOLD

D: Fine, high relief,  cameo carving of Aurora, goddess of the dawn.   Aurora (or Eos) was renewed every morning and  would fly across the sky, announcing the arrival of the sun.    The carving is set in an ornate repousse brooch frame made from pinchbeck.  Ca. 1840-60 and in excellent condition.    1.5 by 1.75 inches   $425

E: Large cameo brooch depicting a group of putti’s playing with a goat ! Two cherubs are trying to lead the stubborn goat;  one putti appears to be gathering flowers beneath the goat;  one is riding it and several are trying to push the poor goat.   Whimsical cameo with a unique carving is set in 9kt. rose gold, ca. 1870-90.   Excellent, all original condition.   Nice detail and the dark background provides sharp contrast to the white carving.   2 by 2 and 1/3 inches. $695

F: Superb carving in high relief of Psyche.   On the reverse, is a locket back which contains a plume of light blonde hair, accented with gold wire and seed pearls.  Engraved around the lock of hair is, “In loving memory of Grandmother, Louisa S. Baker, died Oct. 28, 1891.   This memorial brooch is especially poignant as Psyche was the guardian of the Human Soul.   Here, the soul of a beloved Grandmother.

Psyche was goddess of the soul and is always depicted with a butterfly.  In Greek mythology, Psyche was the goddess of the human soul. She was portrayed in ancient mosaics as a goddess with butterfly wings (because psyche is also the Greek word for ‘butterfly’). The Greek word psyche literally means “spirit, breath, life or animating force”.    Excellent, all original condition.  4.3 cm by 3.7 cm.    sold

G: Fine cameo carving depicting two angels being lead towards heaven by a torch bearing cherub.  This carving could be a modified depiction of Day or, it could be a mourning cameo.   I tend to think it is a mourning cameo.   The adult angel has her arms around a young girl leading her towards heaven.  The cherub holds a torch to light their way.

The brooch is 18kt. yellow gold with fine cannetille work around the frame.  1.75 by 2 inches  Circa 1870′s  $895