Victorian "Day & Night" Cameo Brooch
Night and Day passing near greet one another as they cross the great bronze threshold. The one is about to go in and the other is going out the door, and never does the house hold them both inside, but always the one goes out from the house and passes over the earth, while the other in turn remaining inside the house waits for the time of her own departure, until it comes. The one holds much-seeing light for those on the earth, but the other holds Sleep in her hands, the brother of Death—deadly Night, shrouded in murky cloud. - Hesiod, Theogony (748-757)
Nyx and Hemera: night and day. The two classical deities, mother and daughter, here rendered in fantastic detail, with their respective companion symbols... Nyx with her owl, sleep-inducing poppies, crescent moon, and veil, and eyes closed; Hemera with her dove, floral headdress, and looking up to the sun. The bull's mouth shell has been carved with the subjects in white over an orangish-brown background, mounted in a gilt metal frame. Victorian, circa 1860.
Era: Victorian, circa 1860
Size: 6.1cm by 5.1cm
Stone: Shell cameo
Marks: None, tested as gilt metal
Condition: Good antique condition. A couple of small areas of tarnish on one side of the setting. Can be polished out if desired, prior to shipping
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Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
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Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved, often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff/scrape are quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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