Antique 19th brooch Victorian carved shell cameo depicting the Good Shepherd

Antique 19th brooch Victorian carved shell cameo depicting "the Good Shepherd". Beautiful ORIGINAL and good sized rare mid-Victorian era carved shell cameo depicting "the Good Shepherd", a young shepherd with staff guarding his flock outside a village. Brooch measures 2 1/4" wide by 2 3/4" in height with tube hinge and "c" clasp with pin back extending beyond the body of the brooch, common during the mid-Victorian period.

This is a rare cameo subject and notice the ornate carving and details on this brooch! Additionally, this is a left facing cameo, and the majority of cameos face right so if you find a left facing cameo, it is considered more unusual and valuable. The Good Shepherd is an image used in the passages of John 10:11-18, in which Jesus Christ is depicted as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees.

The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep. I know my own, and I'm known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father.

I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.

I received this commandment from my Father. Cameos, valued since antiquity as engraved gems, were exceedingly popular during the Georgian and Victorian periods. Many different materials were used for carving cameos.

Shell was a popular medium for use in cameo carving because it was light in weight and therefore didn't limit the size of the piece. Tropical helmet shell was extensively used for its good color contrast and depth of layers. The Cassus rufus variety was white and pink, the Cassus madagascariensis had white and brown layers. The depth of the white layer in the helmut shell was sufficient to allow very high relief with lots of detail.

Cameos during and before the Victorian era displayed allegorical, mythological, historical or religious images. Gods and goddesses, rulers, historic scenes, biblical scenes, Roman soldiers and beautiful women were subjects for cameos, which were worn by men and women. Cameos were considered "smart" jewelry because of the intellectual nature of the subject being carved. Tourists on "Grand Tour" holiday, viewing the full sized artworks, were delighted to take home a wearable miniature version as a remembrance.

Always pack very carefully in new box! This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Brooches & Pins". The seller is "vintage_everyday" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to North, South, or Latin America, all countries in Europe, all countries in continental Asia, Australia.

• Brand: Unbranded
• Type: Brooch
• Cut Grade: Good
• Metal: Gold Plated
• Gender: Female
• Jewelry Department: Fine