A RARE ANTIQUE CARVED EMERALD AND DIAMOND CLASP Set with a carved emerald depicting the profile of a man, facing right, with a pointed beard and ruff collar, within an old mine-cut diamond surround, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1850, 2.5 cm high Gemstones carved with portraits in low relief have existed in the west since ancient Greek and Roman times. Usually comissioned by nobility, they often commemorate important events or are mementoes of loved ones or relatives. Materials usually employed for these portraits include shell, agate and onyx, which were relatively easy to work and whose different coloured layers allowed for an attractive contrast between the subject and the background. Emerald, which is one of the hardest of gemstones and extremely brittle at the same time, was hardly used as a base material for cameo carvings. The fine details required for a succesful depiction required great patience as well as technical virtuosity which no longer exists today. Although the identity of the subject is lost, it is possible to suggest that it might have been comissioned by a member of the European nobility. The rarity of this jewel is enhanced by the fact that the lapidary has used gem quality material for this stone, marking it unique among the few emerald cameos which Christie's has sold over the last twenty years.
A RARE ANTIQUE CARVED EMERALD AND DIAMOND CLASP Set with a carved emerald depicting the profile of a man, facing right, with a pointed beard and ruff collar, within an old mine-cut diamond surround, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1850, 2.5 cm high Gemstones carved with portraits in low relief have existed in the west since ancient Greek and Roman times. Usually comissioned by nobility, they often commemorate important events or are mementoes of loved ones or relatives. Materials usually employed for these portraits include shell, agate and onyx, which were relatively easy to work and whose different coloured layers allowed for an attractive contrast between the subject and the background. Emerald, which is one of the hardest of gemstones and extremely brittle at the same time, was hardly used as a base material for cameo carvings. The fine details required for a succesful depiction required great patience as well as technical virtuosity which no longer exists today. Although the identity of the subject is lost, it is possible to suggest that it might have been comissioned by a member of the European nobility. The rarity of this jewel is enhanced by the fact that the lapidary has used gem quality material for this stone, marking it unique among the few emerald cameos which Christie's has sold over the last twenty years.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
