Late 20th Century Victorian High Relief Cameo of Young Maiden in 14k Gold Ring, Size 9.5

Details

Description

This 14k gold ring features an exquisitely carved shell cameo in a very high relief. Circa the Victorian era, it … Read more This 14k gold ring features an exquisitely carved shell cameo in a very high relief. Circa the Victorian era, it was popular during this time to portray classical Greek figures in jewelry. This beautiful maiden has flowers that pin back her hair, with curls that cascade around her face. She wears a flowing Greek robe and has a serene expression on her face. Carved from a shell, the female form is described in the white part of the shell, while the background is a dusty pink. The cameo has very high relief, with three-quarters of the profile three-dimensional. The high relief gives the maiden an ethereal quality, as if she was in motion, about to emerge from the ring and float away. The cameo is set in a 14k gold bezel that conforms to the shape of the cameo. It has a nice, solid gold back and connects to a double-wired ring construction.

There is a bit of wear to the maiden’s nose—when looked at straight on, it isn’t noticeable, but when looked at in profile is more visible. There is a slight crazing across the maiden’s forehead that is a natural element of the shell, adding to the lovely organic quality of the piece. The maiden is a real beauty, with striking features and gorgeous details. This is a special ring, with a very pretty presence on the hand.

The ring measures 1” x 3/4”. The maiden has a depth of 7/16”. The band is 1/8” wide. The ring weighs 8.8 grams. Unmarked; acid tests as 14k gold. Pictured here in a ring box for display purposes only; ring does not come with this box.

Ring size 9.5; could be resized by a knowledgable jeweler. See less