19thC RARE Shell Cameo "Aphrodite w/Eros Smoking Opium

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GENUINE ANTIQUE 19th C. ITALIAN MASTER CARVED HELMET SHELL CAMEO 8" x 6-1/2" girth 18-1/2" carved space is 4-1/2" x 6-3/4" This RARE scenario is of Aphrodite (Venus) the goddess of love, beauty and rapture lounging by her pool, perhaps in a drugged stupor, a large jar filled with opium poppy seed heads with a large poppy growing from the wall. She's accompanied by Eros (Cupid) smoking opium and two monks exhorting Aphrodite to change her ways. Does her hand gesture invite them to partake? I purchased several carved shells from a Las Vegas Estate 21 years ago. The husband and wife team were Jeweler's and traveled the world hunting rare jewelry and antiques. They found these Cameo Shells with a dealer in Florence, Italy in the late 1940's. I was told the entire collection was from a single cameo collection dated back to the mid 1800's and believed to be all carved by the same Master Carver in Naples, Italy. The Master Cameo Carvers would display thier talents by carving on HELMET SHELLS in order to show their craft to Cameo Dealers and other clientele. To Shop the Collection, Check out my other items ! T are no chips or damage to the carving and No stress cracks to the shell. T is some insignificant chipping at the top edge of the shell and on the lower back edge which I feel was done deliberately so the shell would stand. read more

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