Antique cameo of Apollo based on Guido Reni’s “L’Aurora”

Here is an exquisite and highly detailed antique cameo of Apollo based on Guido Reni’s “L’Aurora” that dates from the 19th century and was so finely hand carved.
The fresco painted by Guido Reni is the story of the sun god Apollo ascending the heavens surrounded by his daughters, the horae which were the goddesses of the seasons. He is preceded by his sister Aurora, the goddess of dawn. Above is Genius of light, or the day star Lucifer holding his torch.
The story tells of Aurora who longed to be with her mortal lover for all eternity. Aurora asked Zeus to grant immortality to Tithonus a prince of Troy, and Zeus did grant her wish. Tragically, Aurora did not ask for eternal youth to accompany Tithonus immortality and he became forever old, after which she turned him into a grasshopper.
It is this wonderful tale that makes this antique cameo even more special and such a wonderful talking point and looking at the painting compared to the cameo, the artist of this cameo truly captured so much detail and there is no doubt that this was carved by a true master carver.
Carved on shell, when you get a cameo that has this much detail, it was so easy to engrave too far and pierce the shell rendering it worthless, whereas this cameo has no cracks or breaks through the material.
The cameo itself measures 51.6mm across by 41.5mm and the 9ct rose gold frame measures 58.7mm by 48.3mm and is fitted with a safety chain for added security and peace of mind.
This truly is an outstanding cameo of exceptional quality and is up there with the best of the best.
*Please note the image of the painting is not included with the cameo – this was just to show the original*

Stock# ES7471

Circa: 1870

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