Large Shell Cameo of "Pax with the Horses of Mars" after Gagneraux, c. 1850

This shell cameo depicts a rare motif from mythology: the Genius of Peace, a naked youth with wings and flowing hair, taming the horses of Mars. Holding the reins of the war god’s steeds, he is poised to set them free. Mars’ armour, helmet, shield, and torch have been cast aside on the ground, while the Genius of Peace stands proudly and confidently above them. The war god himself, Mars, is notably absent. His instruments of war have been taken from him: he has been stripped of his weapons, his armour, and even his war chariot, which has brought so much suffering and destruction to the world. Now, peace returns to the earth. The finely detailed carving of the cameo follows the composition of a painting by the French artist Bénigne Gagneraux (*Dijon 1756, +Florence 1795). A recipient of the prestigious Prix de Rome, Gagneraux specialised in historical paintings, rendering heroic themes with classical perfection. His painting, The Genius of Peace Taming the Horses of Mars (1793), is now housed in the Museum of the City of Geneva (see here). This large shell cameo, dating to around 1850, makes ingenious use of the natural colours of the shell to enhance the relief. Particularly noteworthy is the three-dimensional depiction of the horses’ raised legs, which create a sense of perspective and depth within a very confined space. As was customary during this period, the cameo itself was almost certainly carved in Italy before being exported for setting into jewellery. It is mounted in Pinchbeck, a gold-like alloy that was widely used in the first half of the 19th century.

Estimation:790€

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