Cameo brooch

Details

Descriptive Terms

brooches
cameos
pins (jewelry)
gold (metal)
conch (shell)
Classical Revival (European revival style)
souvenirs
Brooch

Label

Carved by cameo artist and sculptor Constantin Roësler Franz, this shell cameo brooch depicts Venus in her chariot. Pinning the goddess of beauty to one's collar would have sent a subtle message about the wearer's powers of attraction.

Inscription

"CONSTANTIN / ROËSLER FRANZ / Atelier de Mosaïques Camées / Rue Condotti no 92.93 / à Rome / 4679840" (Paper Label)

Associated Building

Original To Rundlet-May House (Portsmouth, N.H.),

Additional Identification Number

161

Maker

Constantin Roesler Franz (Artist)

Location of Origin

Rome, Italy, Europe

Dimensions

1 5/8 x 2 5/16 x 1/4 (HxWxD) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Ralph May

Accession Number

1971.2202AB

Exhibition Notes

"Hidden Treasures from Elegant Eras," Historic Jewelry from the Collections of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities presented by Shreve, Crump & Low, September 15 - November 30, 1995. "Jewelry at Historic New England," Online exhibit presented by Historic New England launched September 30, 2007 at www.historicnewengland.org/jewelryhistory/.

Reference Notes

For information on cameos see Bennett, David and Daniela Mascetti, "Understanding Jewellery," (1989); Bury, Shirley, "Jewellery, 1789-1910," v. 1 (1991): 215-232; Fales, Martha Gandy, "Jewelry in America, 1600-1900," (1995): 227-236; Miller, Anna M. "Cameos Old & New," 3rd Edition (2005).

Places

Rome (Roma province, Latium, Italy)

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