Victorian Cameo Jewelry Suite

Pure Victorian elegance, this spectacular collection is truly jewelry as art. Four exquisitely carved agate and cornaline cameos fit seamlessly within bold flourishes of 18K yellow gold in this jewelry suite comprising a bracelet, brooch and earrings. Each cameo displays the visage of a classical maiden in profile, adorned with floral blooms, laurel leaves and grapevines. The figure in the bracelet represents Euterpe, the mythological muse of music, and the brooch depicts Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and the harvest. The 18K yellow gold settings are intricately chased with grapevines in a festive Bacchanalian motif, and each cameo is framed by a sophisticated beaded gold border.

Victorian jewels are characterized by their romantic yet bold designs. The era derives its name from the reign of the English monarch Victoria, who sat on the throne from 1837 until her death in 1901. Her reign brought with it a new period of progress, a rising middle class, and one of the great love stories of the ages, that between the Queen herself and her husband, Prince Albert. The romanticism of the age along with the redistribution of wealth led to a surge in the jewelry trade, and these pieces truly epitomize the "Romantic age" in which they were born. Jewelers married whimsical, buoyant designs to traditional motifs, resulting in Victorian jewelry pieces that exude charm and luxury.

Bears French owl assay mark. This suite comes complete with its original fitted box.

Circa 1860

Bracelet: 8" length
Earrings: 1" length
Brooch: 2 1/4" wide x 2 3/4" high