19th Century Aurora Fresco Cameo Brooch
Also described as 'The Triumph of Apollo led by the Aurora', this shell cameo has been carved after the Aurora Fresco: a large Baroque ceiling fresco painted in 1614 by Guido Reni for the Casino, or garden house, adjacent to the Palazzo Pallavicini-Rospigliosi, built on the site of the ancient Baths of Constantine in Rome. The scene, from right to left, depicts "Aurora (Dawn) in a golden billowing dress with her garlands flying over a dim-lit landscape, leading a blond Apollo in his horse-drawn chariot, surrounded by a chain of female 'hours', bringing light to the world. Above the quadriga, in the sky, flies the putto Phosphorus with a torch. Zephyrs blow winds at either end.
"One interpretation of the work is that the incorporated heraldic symbols were meant to link the patron Scipione with Apollo, his patronage bringing 'light to the darkness'. It may have served to uphold the ravenous Borghese accumulation of classical antiquities."*
The cameo is remarkably well detailed, mounted in 18 carat gold, and meticulously executed to showcase all the skills of an accomplished glyptic artist - the translucent, billowing clouds and robes, the putto's wings, and the sombre facial expressions - which all makes sense, given it was produced in the Vatican workshops during the mid-19th century (confirmed by the crossed key hallmarks of the Papal States).
A brief history of the Papal States in the 19th century: "In 1799 the Papal States as a whole were invaded by French forces, who declared a Roman Republic. Pope Pius VI died in exile in Valence (France) in 1799. The Papal States were restored in June 1800 and Pope Pius VII returned, but the French again invaded in 1808, and this time the remainder of the States of the Church was annexed to France, forming the départements of Tibre and Trasimène.
With the fall of the Napoleonic system in 1814, the Papal States were restored once more.
In 1860, with much of the region already in rebellion against Papal rule, Sardinia-Piedmont conquered the eastern two-thirds of the Papal States. Bologna, Ferrara, Umbria, the Marches, Benevento and Pontecorvo were all formally annexed by November of the same year, and a unified Kingdom of Italy was declared.
The Papal States were reduced to Latium, the immediate neighborhood of Rome.
On September 10, 1870, Italy declared war on the Papal States and the Italian Army crossed the frontier of the then remaining papal territory on September 11 advancing towards Rome. The city was captured on September 20, 1870. Rome and Latium were annexed to the Kingdom of Italy as a result of a plebiscite the following October and the Papal State ceased to exist." [Source: silvercollection.it]
*[Source: wikipedia.org]
Era: Victorian, circa 1850
Size: 4.0cm by 5.0cm
Stone: Bull's Mouth Shell
Marks: Cross keys of Saint Peter, Papal States marks for 18ct gold
Condition: Great antique condition, light wear consistent with age
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This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable).
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain).
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Parcels going to the United States are currently subject to the Trump administration's 10% "reciprocal tariff". Until August 29th (2025), parcels under $800 remain tariff-free under the de minimis exemption.
We declare our parcels under HTS code 9706 (antique over 100 years old) which reduces import duties to zero. This means the 10% "reciprocal tariff" is all you should be charged by customs*. At this time, you are responsible for any taxes levied at the border.
US customs will require a SS# or business tax ID to clear parcels valued over $2500. UPS will request this information from you directly. More information about this can be found on the US Customs and Border Protection website.
* The tariff situation is being handled extremely erratically by the Trump administration, as such it's susceptible to change as short notice. We will keep the information on this page updated as best we can.
[last updated: August 23rd, 2025]
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Condition
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