ANTIQUE VICTORIAN NATURAL SHELL CAMEO PLINY'S DOVES CAPITOLINE c1870 UNMOUNTED

  

A lovely antique Italian Grand Tour natural shell cameo; beautifully hand carved to depict Pliny's Doves, aka the Capitoline Doves. I've never seen this depicted in a cameo before. The carving is particularly deep, with well graded detail depth and unusually, a highly ornate scroll-type surround as part of the shell. Just visible to the back is the carver's signature, though I can't make it out. The cameo is unmounted and ready to be set into jewellery, mounted in a wall frame or just collected as is.

It dates from around 1860/70 and is in excellent, fully wearable condition throughout, with no loss or damage. It weighs 4.6 grams and measures 35 x 28 mm. The final photo shows it with a US penny (1 cent) coin for scale, which measures 19 mm / ¾ of an inch diameter.

What's more, I offer layaway deals so there's no need to let any of my listings slip through your fingers - just ask! The item "ANTIQUE VICTORIAN NATURAL SHELL CAMEO PLINY'S DOVES CAPITOLINE c1870 UNMOUNTED" is in sale since Monday, January 16, 2017.

This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Fine\Victorian, Edwardian 1837-1910\Cameos". The seller is "victoriousantiquejewellery" and is located in Sale. This item can be shipped worldwide.