Rare Citrine Intaglio of Ceres With Diamonds & Gold, Wellendorf c. 2000

The art of gemstone carving has been considered the pinnacle of jewellery design since antiquity. The emperors of ancient times had their likenesses carved into hard stone and presented these cameos and intaglios as precious gifts. Cameos were used as signet rings, and in the Middle Ages they adorned reliquary vessels. In the early modern period, portraits and scenes carved in stone celebrated the great families of Italy, such as the Medici, and even Queen Victoria had her portrait carved in agate and distributed it at her court. This grand tradition continues to the present day, and a delightful example is presented here. The pendant, made of high-karat gold and set with diamonds, holds a citrine, into which the image of a goddess has been carved from the reverse side. Lightly draped, with flowing hair, she presents a sheaf of ears. Her skin shimmers softly, the volumes of the depiction are finely graduated, and the work recalls the elegance of Art Déco. A scarf wraps around her left hand holding the ears and falls in gentle waves over her lap. The figure is likely the ancient goddess Ceres, who corresponds to the Greek Demeter. She was venerated as the goddess of fertility and marriage and was also responsible for just legislation. In the Abbondanza variation, she symbolised the abundance and wealth of the harvest: a magnificent statue of the goddess can be seen, for example, in the Giardino del Boboli in Florence. The pendant is a creation of the Wellendorf manufactory. The craftsmanship is of the usual high quality and flawless. As a special feature, the pendant can be opened, allowing the intaglio to be viewed from behind. A magnifying glass is provided with the pendant for this purpose. The pendant was made in recent years and is in perfect condition, also thanks to the high-quality case in which it is delivered.

Estimation:€4,980

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