An Extremely Fine Carved Polychromed Oval ‘Comesso’ Cameo of Christ
An Extremely Fine Carved Polychromed Oval ‘Comesso’ Cameo of Christ
Period Circa 1850
Origin France
Medium Shell, Leather, Mother of pearl, Velvet
Dimension 4.5 x 3.7 cm (1³/₄ x 1¹/₂ inches)
Contained in an oval velvet lined leather box
Signed: Lament
Shell, mother-of-pearl, leather, velvet
France
Circa 1850
Size: 4.5cm high, 3.7cm wide - 1¾ ins high, 1½ ins wide
Period: Circa 1850
Origin: France
Medium: Shell, Leather, Mother of pearl, Velvet
Dimension: 4.5 x 3.7 cm (1³/₄ x 1¹/₂ inches)
Provenance:
Ex Private collection
See:
For another cameo signed by Lament, contained in a Victorian gold frame, see: The Fitzwilliam Museum collection, accession number M.24-1984
Literature: Christ is shown with a contemplative downward gaze, wearing a crown of thorns. His left hand holds a staff, close to his chest. The word ‘comesso’, also referred to as Florentine ‘mosaic’, is the practice of piecing together cut sections of semi–precious stones, gems and, in this case, shell to form intricate and meticulously crafted works of art.
Finch & Co
Antiquities, ethnographica, natural history, sculpture and works of art
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