Western Europe, likely England, Neoclassical Period, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful agate cameo of ovoid form set in an over 18 karat gold brooch. Sculpted in pearly white on a violet-gray ground, the cameo presents the elegant profile of a youthful maiden, perhaps intended as Venus - Greek Aphrodite - the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Facing right, the lady presents noble visage with a straight nose, generously-lidded eyes, plump lips, and a slightly protruding chin. Her sumptuous coiffure is piled atop her head in a luscious updo of coils, with a few short tendrils gracefully meandering down the nape of her neck and a ribbon fillet cascading to her shoulder, just behind a teardrop earring that hangs from her ear. The brooch itself is quite minimalist in construction with only a beveled frame encircling the cameo and a hook clasp on the verso for easy wear. Size of brooch: 1.47" W x 1.84" H (3.7 cm x 4.7 cm); of cameo: 1.19" W x 1.61" H (3 cm x 4.1 cm); gold quality: 75.34% to 75.9% (equivalent to 18K+); weight: 34.1 grams

Provenance: private Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA, December 25, 2022, lot 177; ex-East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#183589

Some indentations to periphery of brooch as shown, but otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable. Great preservation to cameo details. Brooch pin on verso still articulates smoothly.