COLLECTION OF TEN SHELL AND HARD STONE CAMEOS, SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Comprising: eight shell cameos portraying a variety of subject matters, including some Classical scenes, Apollo and Diana with Cupid and the owl of wisdom; Jupiter, Minerva and Mercury; a cameo depicting H.M.S Victory commemorating the battle of St. Vincent in 1797; Icarus with a trophy of arms; four Muses beneath a tree; a genre scene; an image possibly depicting an allegory of trade; a Renaissance court scene; two hard stone cameos, one portraying the bust of Minerva, within a border highlighted with pearls; the other a Victorian gentleman, part illustrated.

Please note each cameo set out below has been given a number corresponding to the order that they were catalogued in. 1. Gold mount. Slight crazing to top left hand side of shell background. Pendant loop fitting. Some tarnish to front and reverse of frame, could benefit from a professional clean Strong pin fitting. Scratches to mount consistent with age and wear. 2. Gold frame. Slight tarnish visible, could benefit from a professional clean. Traces of gold solder to reverse, not noticable when worn. Slight crazing to upper right side of shell on reverse, not visible when worn. Pin a little bent and loose at hinge. Scratched inventory number 1046 to reverse and an indistinct inscription. 3. Gold filligree work frame. Pendant loop of rope work design. Some of the fine gold work a little damaged and indented consistent with age and wear. Small chip to right hand side of cameo. Later pin fitting to reverse metal (not gold). 4. Gold scroll work frame. tarnish to front and reverse, could benefit from a professional clean. Later metal pin (not gold). 5. Gold wire work frame. Tarnished with traces of dirt to underside, could benefit from a professional clean. Hinged pendant loop fitting and additional fixed pendant fitting, Safety chain. Strong pin. 6. Gold frame, decorated with pale blue/grey enamel. Some losses to enamel work. Traces of gold solder affixing decorative elements onto frame, visible only on close inspection. Frame a little tarnished to reverse, could benefit from a professional clean. Inscribed to the reverse 'Lamanz' and with a scratched inventory number 135. 7. Gold scroll design frame. Pin fitting deficient. Traces of lead solder and small repairs to reverse not visible to front. Some visible crazing to shell background. Indistinct numbering to reverse, possibly 1005. 8. Foliate metal frame (not gold). Two cracks to the centre only visible to the reverse. Scratches to frame consistent with age and wear. Pin a little bent. Traces of lead solder. Pendant loop to reverse. Mount scratched consistent with age and wear. 9. Gold frame with pendant loop fitting. Pearls well matched in size and colour, some with rosé overtones, medium to high lustre, some minor surface blemishes. Some small nicks to edge of hardstone only visible with magnification. 10. Gold and enamel frame. Pendant loop to reverse. Cameo fixed at top and bottom so that it pivots with glazed panel to reverse. Later metal pin to reverse (not gold) a little bent. Tarnished, could benefit from a professional clean. Collection in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Pearls untested.