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ID #SA1243717
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£585
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Rare 19th-century Shell Cameo of a Renaissance Gentleman, 9ct Gold
For sale by Touch of Time Antiques
for sale €684     $743
£585

Touch of Time Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2025
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Rare 19th-century Shell Cameo of a Renaissance Gentleman, 9ct Gold

19th century
Description

A finely carved shell cameo depicting a gentleman in Renaissance-style dress. The subject is an uncommon one for cameo jewellery, and the carving is especially striking for its high relief and strong three-dimensional effect.

The cameo dates to the second half of the 19th century. It is set in a later 9ct gold mount bearing Birmingham hallmarks for 1992. The brooch is an attractive, wearable size.

Dimensions: 32 × 28 mm overall; visible cameo 30 × 25 mm.

Materials: shell and 9ct gold.

Condition: Both cameo and mount are in excellent condition. The clasp is in perfect working order.

Date of Manufacture

Touch of Time Antiques has dated this Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1243717
Dealers Notes

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Description
A finely carved shell cameo depicting a gentleman in Renaissance-style dress.
“
The subject is an uncommon one for cameo jewellery, and the carving is especially striking for its high relief and strong three-dimensional effect.
Touch of Time Antiques
fig 1. An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim.
fig 1. Rare 19th-century Shell Cameo of a Renaissance Gentleman, 9ct Gold

The cameo dates to the second half of the 19th century. It is set in a later 9ct gold mount bearing Birmingham hallmarks for 1992. The brooch is an attractive, wearable size.

Dimensions: 32 × 28 mm overall; visible cameo 30 × 25 mm.

Materials: shell and 9ct gold.

Condition: Both cameo and mount are in excellent condition. The clasp is in perfect working order.

Date of Manufacture

Touch of Time Antiques has dated this Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1243717
Touch of Time Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2025
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Touch of Time Antiques Profile Page

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An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim.
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Archive I An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim.

Rare 19th-century Shell Cameo of a Renaissance Gentleman, 9ct Gold

Archive II An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View II
Archive III An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View III
Archive IV An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View IV
Archive V An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View V
Archive VI An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View VI
Archive VII An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View VII
Archive VIII An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View VIII
Archive IX An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View IX
Archive X An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View X
Archive XI An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View XI
Archive XII An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim. View XII
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Touch of Time Antiques
Telephone 07593 802248
Location
Nottinghamshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/wwwsellingantiquescouktota
Verified Since Apr 2025
Items For Sale 60
Items Sold 53
Touch of Time Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2025
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Location: Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/wwwsellingantiquescouktota
Verified
Apr 2025
For Sale
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An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim.
Rare 19th-Century Shell Cameo of a Renaissance Gentleman, 9ct Gold
Ref: SA1243717
An oval 19th-century shell cameo depicting a relief bust of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted gold rim.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBrooches
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialShell, 9ct Gold
  • ColourBrown and White
  • MotifsRenaissance bust relief, Twisted wire border, High relief carving, Profile portrait

This Victorian brooch is a shell cameo depicting a bust relief of a Renaissance gentleman with a moustache and cap, mounted in a twisted 9ct gold rim. The brown and white shell features a high relief carving with a strong three-dimensional effect, set into a gold mount that bears Birmingham hallmarks for 1992. The overall dimensions measure 32 × 28 mm, with a visible cameo size of 30 × 25 mm. Additional details visible in the photograph include a rope-twist border on the gold mount, the gentleman's ruffled collar and tunic, and a secure pin fastening visible at the back. The brooch is a wearable size for traditional fastening to garments.

FAQs

Shell cameos gained widespread popularity during the 19th century, particularly in the Victorian era. Artisans carved contrasting layers of marine shell to create detailed relief portraits and mythological scenes inspired by Classical and Renaissance art.

Antique cameos are typically carved from natural materials such as helmet shell, conch shell, sardonyx, or agate. These relief carvings are traditionally mounted in precious metal frames made of carat gold or sterling silver.

Authentic shell cameos display subtle natural curved growth lines when backlit and show fine detail under magnification from hand carving. Period pieces feature bezel or claw settings, era-appropriate gold hallmarks, and traditional pin mechanisms.

Antique cameos can be worn on lapels, scarves, and high collars, or displayed safely in velvet-lined shadow boxes and glass dome frames as decorative objects when not in use.

Clean shell cameos gently using warm water and mild soap with a soft brush, avoiding harsh chemicals and steam. To prevent dehydration and cracking of the natural shell material, apply a drop of mineral oil periodically with a cotton swab.
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