Antique 14k Gold Angel Skin Coral Cameo Ring

Humans have been carving into stone since prehistoric times to convey myth, history and even politics. This early art form was done in precious and semi-precious stones, ivory, glass, ceramic, coral and more. Cameo jewels such as these became popular amongst nobility and religious elite in the Renaissance, continuing into 19th century when Napoleon and Josephine set the trends. These two were fanatics for cameos! Around this time we began to see more Cameos made from lighter materials such as shells and even lava. If you were a Victorian tourist doing a grand tour of the ruins of Pompeii you were sure to bring home a lava cameo! These two pieces bring together two timeless jewelry traditions, the cameo in coral form. Coral jewels have long been revered for their protection against witchcraft and illness, they were even made into rattles and teethers for children vulnerable to sickness and sorcery. Much of the worlds coral hunting for sake of jewelry was centered not far from Pompeii  in the famed Mediterranean village of Torre del Greco, and surrounding meccas such as Sicily and even Tunisia. Today, red coral is an endangered species and it is for this reason that I look at these pieces as true time capsule treasures of the past. Dear Billy revels in the romanticism that pieces like this will never be made again. 
 
This gorgeous and romantic cameo bust is carved in rare angel skin coral with stunning detail. One gets lost admiring the subject’s pale pink ringlets. The band is beautifully carved with a floral motif that adds to the general enchantment of the piece. The subject has a nick in her hairline which detracts only negligibly from her elegance, this is a fabulous antique treasure never to be forgotten. 
 
Stamped 14k
Weight 9.25g
Size 7.75