Antique French 18K gold set hand carved bull's mouth shell cameo brooch / pin. Depicting the proud head of a Bacchante. The profile holding a thyrsus and wearing an ram's head animal pelt and crowned in grape vines & leaves. The carving on this piece is exquisite with wonderful strong lines and crisp detail. Clean and well cared for all these years. Signed en verso, though the signature is indecipherable.
A very well-carved example mounted in an ornate 18k yellow gold frame. Hallmarked with the French 18K gold standard mark in a form of an eagle's head in use in France from 1838. Backed by a bigorne countermark. Bearing a maker's mark on the clasp. Having a C-shaped clasp setting and T-hinged pin, also fitted with a hook to suspend a pocket watch or locket. In good condition. Visible in the backlit picture are some stable stress lines near the left shoulder, this does not detract from its beauty and is common to old shell cameos. Measures 2" x 1 7/8"