DATE: Victorian, c.1850 

A fantastic shell cameo brooch, depicting one of the dancing muses of Greek Mythology. The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology were deities that gave artists, philosophers and individuals the inspiration for creation. The Nine Muses were: Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomeni, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia, Ourania and Calliope. To me, this looks like Terpsichore- of lyric and dancing. The other muses had attributes such as history, poetry, comedy and astronomy. The carving is lovely, with great texture and movement of her garments. She's rendered in high relief and mounted in 9 karat gold and comes complete with the box. 

STONES 

Shell Cameo 

MEASUREMENTS 

5.6 x 4.7cm

WEIGHT 

17g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as 9k gold 

CONDITION 

Very good