BACCHANTE SHELL CAMEO & JET PENDANT

A stunning finely carved shell cameo pendant set upon a chunky piece of Victorian Whitby jet.

The pendant still has the original jet bail.

The cameo depicts Bacchante; a female follower of Bacchus (Dionysus), the god of wine and fertility.

Her hair is adorned with grapes and grape leaves.

Bacchante literally translates as ‘raving or partying ones’. Often they were portrayed in  a state of ecstasy, through a combination of dancing and drunken intoxication.

The cameo is in excellent condition with fine detail.

Size approx: 4.8cm x 8cm (incl bail)

Weight approx: 26.8g

C.1850/70