Rare 19th-century Shell Cameo of a Renaissance Gentleman, 9ct Gold

A rare and beautifully carved shell cameo showing a gentleman in Renaissance-style dress. The portrait is worked in unusually high relief, giving it a sculptural, three-dimensional appearance. Cameos depicting male subjects are less commonly found than the familiar classical female portraits. The carving dates to the second half of the 19th century and is set in a 9ct gold mount hallmarked in Birmingham in 1992. A distinctive antique jewel in a practical, wearable size. Size: 32 × 28 mm overall; visible cameo 30 × 25 mm. Condition: Both cameo and mount are in excellent condition. The clasp is in perfect working order.