French lady portrait cameo earrings c.1880

These are a pair of agate cameo earrings of French origin, circa 1880, crafted entirely in 18k gold, featuring a symmetrical depiction of ladies.

Due to the ancient royalty's love for cameo jewelry, cameos were highly sought after by collectors in the 19th century, with notable collectors including Napoleon Bonaparte and Queen Victoria. In comparison to cameos made from shell materials, those carved from semi-precious and precious stones offer greater hardness and durability. Agate, renowned for its toughness and rich hues, with its distinct banded patterns of various colors, is a commonly chosen material for cameo jewelry.

The agate in this piece exhibits a warm and elegant tone, transitioning from a light orange base to the pristine white of the portraits. Skilled artisans utilize such color variations to create shadow effects, thereby depicting the facial features, clothing folds, and other three-dimensional details. The use of banded agate effectively captures the softness of fabrics and the fine, flowing strands of hair. The handcrafted nature of these ladies results in a high degree of symmetry yet retains slight variations, showcasing the artisan's craftsmanship.

The decorative elements on the main body of the earrings are elaborate, with a wreath of laurel leaves encircling them, and golden beads on the outer frame enhancing the overall contour with elegance and rhythm. The diamond-shaped patterns adorned with pearls complement the soft tones.

These earrings posts are with secure backs, where the backs can be removed simply by pressing the clasp.

The pieces are in good antique condition, showing normal oxidation and signs of wear. As the assessment of condition can be subjective, please click and enlarge our photos to examine more details for judgment.