Antique Shell Cameo Brooch Depicting Mythological Night and Day, With Original Case

Details

Description

This exquisite Victorian cameo brooch, dating to circa 1860–1880, features a beautifully detailed carving of the famous classical allegory of … Read more This exquisite Victorian cameo brooch, dating to circa 1860–1880, features a beautifully detailed carving of the famous classical allegory of Night and Day.
THE FIGURES: The carving depicts two classical Greek and Roman goddesses in profile, accompanied by their traditional cosmic and animal symbols. There is Nyx (or Nox), Goddess of Night on the left. She is shown with her eyes downward or closed in sleep, wearing a traditional veil that obscures the light. Above her head is a crescent moon and beside her is a star. At her chest is an owl, her sacred companion bird and a symbol of nighttime wisdom.
On the right, Aurora (or Eos), Goddess of Dawn, gazes upward toward the light of the morning. She wears a vibrant wreath of flowers (roses) in her hair. Directly above her is a beaming sun representing the arrival of daylight.
The small, winged cherub-like figure, Cupid / Putto, is part of this. He is floating below them in a bed of clouds. He was a popular Victorian accent that emphasized themes of love, beauty and the eternal cycle of nature.
THE MATERIALS: This is a genuine shell cameo, most likely carved from Bull's Mouth shell (Cassis rufa). Master carvers utilized the natural color layers of the marine shell to achieve the stark contrast between the milky-white foreground figures and the warm, orangish-brown backdrop.
The shell is held in a secure bezel setting framed by an ornate, chased yellow gold mount featuring decorative scrolls and classical detailing typical of mid-to-late 19th-century.
The back reveals a traditional hinged pin that extends slightly past the edge of the oval frame, a structural signature of mid-Victorian design. It secures into an early C-catch.
Extending from a small loop at the top of the frame is an attached safety chain and pin. This was a common design safety feature in the 19th century; if the main brooch clasp unlatched from a heavy dress or cloak, the secondary pin pinned further up on the fabric would prevent the precious piece from dropping and shattering.
THE BOX: The brooch comes nested in its period-accurate, domed red leather presentation box lined with cream-colored silk and olive-tinted velvet, indicating it was a highly cherished luxury item.
Signature/Maker’s Mark: Nonexistent. Presentation case dimensions: 1.5 inches high x 3.75 inches wide x 3.25 inches deep. See less