Large Antique Rebecca at the Well Shell Cameo Brooch

A little piece of history looking for a new home.  This shell cameo depicts an Italian townscape with trees, buildings, foliage, a bridge and a wondering lady of the day.  This design is known as "Rebecca at the well" a traditional etching.  Rebecca at the Well, is the marble personification of the biblical story of Rebecca providing water for Isaac from a well. This sculpture brought to light the American Cult of Domesticity, where a woman was expected and eulogized to be a purely domestic and submissive housewife.  This design was popularized in the 1800's by Italian cameo craftsmen.  The hand crafted gold fill frame holds the rectangular shell cameo securely.  The frame is adorned with twisted ribbon detailing and the pin and lock are in perfect working order.  The cameo show only light wear and some dust residue with NO through and through cracks or chips.  There is light tarnish to the metal work with NO breaks or missing edges.  The cameo would make a perfect gift for a new retiree, someone taking a new journey or for the loss of a loved one.  It is large enough for a ladies or gent's suit or coat or even as gift or bouquet accent piece.
 
* Natural Shell Cameo
* No maker's mark
* Gold Fill (not solid gold)
* Measures approx. 2 1/16" inches long x 1 3/4" inches wide
* 18.83 grams
* c. Late 1800's
 
Shell stimulates intuition, sensitivity, imagination and adaptability. It helps to enhance mental clarity and provides insight into decision-making. Shell promotes cooperation between the self and others, as well as within the self.