Friday Finds: More Charming Cameos – at Hartley Brown

Sardonyx cameo portrait of the Emperor Augustus – The cameo depicts Augustus as a triumphant demigod wearing the aegis, a cape usually associated with Jupiter and Minerva. Here, it is decorated with the head of a wind god, perhaps intended as a personification of the summer winds that brought the corn fleet from Egypt to Rome and so an oblique reference to Augustus’s annexation of Egypt after the defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium in 31 B.C. (On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 166

Cameo by George W. Jamison (American, New York 1810–1868 Yonkers, New York) – The helmet-conch-shell cameo with a bust of Andrew Jackson, cut in about 1835 by George W. Jamison, is an elegant tribute to the seventh president. Reflecting the “cameo fever” that first swept Europe in the late eighteenth century, it is inscribed with Jackson’s oft-quoted slogan, THE UNION / IT MUST AND / SHALL BE / PRESERVED. (On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 706)

Large Three Layer Sardonyx French Cameo in 18K Gold and Pearl Brooch Mounting. A French large oval brooch set with three layer sardonyx cameo of a maiden head. The cameo is surrounded by 28 large half pearls sent into 18K gold. Sardonyx, 18K gold, and half pearls, France, 1870-1880. [ Hartley Brown LLC | Gallery #50 | 917.623.9550 | hartleybrownllc@aol.com ]

Moonstone cameo of a bust of a maiden showing very good schilled in a chased gold ring mounting of leaves and the moonstone surrounded by black enamel. Moonstone, gold, enamel, Europe, circa 1870. [ Hartley Brown LLC | Gallery #50 | 917.623.9550 | hartleybrownllc@aol.com ]

Small Sardonyx Cameo of Dante in Gold Brooch Mounting. Small gold brooch with fine cameo of Dante sardonyx. Sardonyx and gold, Italy, 1860-1870. [ Hartley Brown LLC | Gallery #50 | 917.623.9550 | hartleybrownllc@aol.com ]

Exceptional Hard Stone Cameo of Medusa in Seed Pearl and Gold Brooch. Two layer agate cameo of Medusa, exceptional example of the glyphic art in a seed pearl and chased gold brooch mount, floral and bead design. Agate, gold, and seed pearl, European, 1860s-1870s. [ Hartley Brown LLC | Gallery #50 | 917.623.9550 | hartleybrownllc@aol.com ]

Imposing High Relief Multi Layer Agate and Pearl Cameo Pendant. Imposing multi layer agate cameo of neoclassical male head. Exceptionally well carved, in extremely high relief set in gold and pearl pendant frame. Agate, pearls, and gold, England, 1850’s. [ Hartley Brown LLC | Gallery #50 | 917.623.9550 | hartleybrownllc@aol.com ]