Fine Antique Circa 1900 9K Rose Gold Hard Stone Sardonyx Empress Eugenie Cameo
Fine Antique Circa 1900 9K Rose Gold Hard Stone Sardonyx Empress Eugenie Cameo. This fine portrait cameo of Empress Eugenie , wife of Napoleon III, was expertly carved in high-relief from a burnt orange and white, banded sardonyx agate, and beautifully mounted in a 9k rose gold setting with a frame of rope-twisted gold wire, a ring on back for use as a pendant and a rose gold pin-back with a tube hinge, a circa 1900 locking clasp and a protuberant pin. The skillfully carved portrait imbues its subject with a great deal of character and presence and, as is often the case, reveals a degree of kindness on the part of the carver by interpreting Eugenie through a lens of classic Greco-Roman ideals of beauty. The Empress is depicted with flowers in her grand hair arrangement, with beaded "falls" in back, a veil draped over her shoulder and a draped garment with a ruffled neckline. The portrait is crisp and strikingly white against the waxy, burnt-orange background layer of stone, and the pendant-brooch is in excellent condition, marked (9ct) and tests positive for 9k rose gold, measures 1 1/2 x 1 1/4-inches overall and weighs 13.7 grams. From 1853 to 1870 Eugenie de Montijo was Empress of the French, sharing the Second Empire with her husband Napoleon III. She impressed the Prussian Chancellor Bismarck so much that he called her'The only man in Paris'. In sharp contrast to Queen Victoria, who met and admired her, and whose power was controlled by a constitutional monarchy, Eugenie influenced the policy of her husband, for over 17 years, at times, when he was at war, standing in for him as Regent.
As crowned dictator, Napoleon's actions, and Eugenie's, affected the course of history throughout Europe and America. We encourage your questions, and constantly scrutinize the day-to-day operations of our shop in an effort to provide the very best in customer service. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Brooches & Pins".
The seller is "lmarzil1" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Department: Women
- Type: Pendant - Brooch
- Main Stone Color: Orange & White
- Color: Orange, White, Rose Gold
- Jewelry Department: Fine
- Brand: Antique
- Era: Victorian (1837-1901)
- Main Stone Shape: Oval
- Base Metal: Gold
- Setting Style: Bezel
- Material: Stone
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Cut Grade: Excellent
- Antique: Yes
- Item Length: 1 1/2 inches
- Main Stone Treatment: Carved
- Metal Purity: 9k
- Main Stone: Banded Sardonyx Agate
- Main Stone Creation: Natural
- Metal: Rose Gold