Cameo Art - Helen of Troy

Very fine shell cameo brooch with a rare detailed carving of a scene from the Trojan War. Helen of Troy, King Menelaus of Sparta and Paris are depicted in the foreground with the Trojan horse and the burning city of Troy in the background. 

The skilled craftsman has used the layers of the shell to highlight the foreground of the scene.  This is one of the most intricately carved cameos I have every seen, truly the work of a master craftsman. 

The gold mount (untested) is ornately decorated with a foliate design. The brooch measures 7.75cm (3.1 in) by 6.75cm (2.7 in) and has a secure clasp and safety chain.

The cameo is in very good condition apart from some fine stresslines at the top of the carving where it fits into the mount. These are barely visible except when held up to the light.  One small cluster of flowers is missing from the mount and there is a very small spot of old solder visible on the foliate decoration on one side.

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