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Superb Agate Cameo Pin, Nymph Arethusa, 15K & 18K+
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Superb Agate Cameo Pin, Nymph Arethusa, 15K & 18K+
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Offered at auction is an impressive and superbly hand engraved, 19 th century, hardstone carnelian agate cameo set as a pin. The cameo mounted in this pin is beautifully rendered in very fine detail with great finesse. The engraver of this cameo was a master of miniature sculpture. The subject of the cameo is the ancient Greek water nymph Arethusa, the patron nymph of the great Sicilian city and ancient Greek colonial, Syracuse . She presides over a spring that rises on the island of Ortygia in Syracuse ’s harbor. This spring was considered especially important and holy given its seeming miraculous rise on a small island in the sea just off the Sicilian coast. The little island of Ortygia became the original founding place of the city of Syracuse given the secure and defensible nature of the little island with its own fresh water spring. As Syracuse grew in importance and wealth it placed the image of the Nereid Arethusa on its coinage, usually surrounded with dolphins indicating her spring’s location in the sea. On the back of the cameo the subject is indicated written in Italian accompanied with other cryptic notations. This is a beautifully engraved cameo is superb condition. The setting holding this cameo is simple but elegant. It is not marked but is hand made of 18K or better yellow gold and 15k yellow gold. The rope chain embellished bezel acid tests as 18K or better (probably better) and the pin parts acid test as 15k. I would guess, by the style of the pin catch, its lack of hallmarking and the gold quality that the pin setting was made prior to the 20 th century. This beautiful cameo measures approximately 25.5mm in diameter and is set in a bezel measuring approximately 33.5mm in diameter, to the outside of the rope chain. This cameo pin ways 14.73 grams, total weight. This cameo should be of interest to any collector of fine antique cameos or to any lady (or man) that has a Sicilian heritage. This is one of the great images of the ancient Greek world rendered in the 19 th century for those taking the Grand Tour. Please see pictures:
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