Greetings from Lesbos

Antique Pendant with Shell Cameo of Sappho, 1920s

€ 349.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Antique Pendant with Shell Cameo of Sappho, 1920s

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Jewellery featuring figurative representations has become rare in modern times. In earlier eras, however, it was customary for ornate pieces of jewellery to tell their own story. During the Middle Ages, holy knights jousted on the bosoms of noblewomen; in the Rococo period, gallant shepherds shared pastoral rendezvous on the earrings of salonnières. In the 19th century, gemstone jewellery was designed not only to captivate with its material and brilliance but also to reflect the wearer's education and inspire witty conversation. This pendant is one such piece, showcasing a finely cut shell cameo depicting a figure from classical antiquity: a woman in ancient attire sits on the steps of a temple, composing verses. Beside her leans a lyre, the instrument of poets. The figure portrayed is Sappho, the most celebrated lyric poet of classical antiquity, rendered here in exquisite detail. Near her shoulder is Eros, who offers inspiration for her love poetry. The cameo is modelled on a well-known painting by the Swiss artist Angelica Kauffman from 1750. This painting gained great popularity shortly after its creation and was widely circulated in the form of copperplate engravings. Below, we reproduce a copperplate engraving based on the painting, held by the Royal Academy in London: this engraving, or one similar, may have served as a model for the cameo cutter. Interestingly, the engraving features a line from one of Sappho’s most renowned poems, the Prayer to Aphrodite: ἔλθε μοι καὶ νῦν, χαλέπαν δὲ λῦσον ἐκ μερίμναν—"Come to me now too, and release me from heavy sorrows." This line could not be accommodated on the cameo, but a column from the edge of the painting was incorporated into the composition. The cameo was likely crafted at the Bay of Naples at the beginning of the last century. In the 1920s, it was probably set into a simple silver frame in Great Britain, making it wearable as a pendant. We discovered this charming piece here in Berlin.

Size & Details

Greetings from Lesbos

€ 349.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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Greetings from Lesbos

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