A pair of 19th-century Italian cameo earrings, finely carved from shell and mounted in warm 21-karat gold, depict a classical harvest couple. The man crowned with a sickle and the woman bearing a basket of produce. The imagery draws on ancient Roman symbolism of Ceres and Bacchus, evoking themes of fertility, abundance, and the harmony between labor and nature. Each cameo, meticulously hand-carved in relief, reflects the extraordinary skill of the Neapolitan artisans of Torre del Greco, who transformed fragile shells into miniature works of sculpture. The high-purity gold setting, with its rich hue, enhances both the luminosity of the carving and the timeless elegance of these Grand Tour-era jewels.
Love the interplay between the two carvings. Love fun and slighty surreal look. Love the history and context of these art works. Imagine the skill to carve this from a shell!
Measure with hooks approximately 17 X 55 mm, total weight 9.7 grams. Later 18kt hook fittings.
