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1 of 253523 objects
Vintage scene crushing grapes Cameo: late 16th c.; Mount: c. 1640, with 18th c. additions
Onyx: white on translucent pale grey, black shellac backing (missing on some pieces); open gold petal-like mounts with alternate white enamel ‘petals’ with black dots and turquoise enamel ‘trefoils’ with black dots, White enamel reverse, suspension loops and rings and smaller lateral loops to left and right | 1.7 x 2.3 cm (with fittings) | RCIN 65766
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Cameo depicting a vintage scene, crushing grapes: part of a set of eight onyx cameos of mythological scenes and farm labours mounted on gold and enamel petal-like mounts. The group of eight small cameos belongs to a genre produced in profusion by the Milanese hard stone workshops during the last quarter of the 16th century.
The lateral side-loops on the 17th century mounts suggest that they were intended to form the links of a chain, possibly a necklace; they may also have been sewn onto costume.
The pendant loops and rings are probably late 18th century additions.
Text adapted from Ancient and Modern Gems and Jewels in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen, London, 2008Provenance
The set is probably identifiable with the ‘many cameos, small set in enamel as if designed for buttons’, listed by Horace Walpole in his June 1763 addenda of ‘Other pictures & curiosities’ of the late Queen Caroline at Kensington Palace’.
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Creator(s)
(enameller)(place of production)(place of production)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Onyx: white on translucent pale grey, black shellac backing (missing on some pieces); open gold petal-like mounts with alternate white enamel ‘petals’ with black dots and turquoise enamel ‘trefoils’ with black dots, White enamel reverse, suspension loops and rings and smaller lateral loops to left and right
Measurements
1.7 x 2.3 cm (with fittings)
1.1 x 1.6 cm (cameo)
Place of Production
Milan [Lombardy]
