Art Nouveau Coral Cameo

During the Art Nouveau period (1890 - 1910) extraordinary jewels were created with a mixture of fantasy, exotic creatures and sinuous curves. This striking brooch is a beautiful example.

The brooch features a cameo of the goddess Diana carved in the soft pink tones of Angel Skin coral.  The cameo is bezel set and surrounded by a gold frame of seahorses and palmettes.  The sensuous lines of Art Nouveau design can be seen in Diana's flowing hair and the whiplash curves of the seahorses' tails.

Viewing the reverse of the brooch one can see the sturdy bezel that helps protect the coral cameo.  The pin stem is securely held by an early safety clasp that helps date this jewel to the decades around 1900.  At the top of the brooch is a small collapsible bail allowing the cameo to also be worn as a pendant.  The bail is hinged so that it can be fold down and hidden when not being used.

Name:  Diana and the Seahorses!

Cost:  $1,275

Measurements:  This antique cameo brooch is crafted in 14kt yellow gold and measures 1 1/4" by 1 1/8".

This beautiful brooch also has literary associations.  It is featured, somewhat gruesomely bespattered, on the the cover of Shirley Tallman's
historical mystery  The Cliff House Strangler.

Here are a few more elegant brooches from the past ...