Fine Silver and Objects of Vertu - 29th April 2015
Lot 664
A continental gold mounted cameo vinaigrette
Estimate £2,000 - £2,500 | Hammer £3000
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Description
A continental gold mounted cameo vinaigrette,
unmarked circa 1900,
shaped form, the cover with chased foliate scroll decoration on a matted background and set with a cameo of the Goddess Selene with a crescent moon and an owl holding poppy heads, the interior with a finely pierced and engraved grille with foliate decoration and a basket, length 4.8cm, approx. gross weight 51g.
Selene was the Goddess of the night, who used her powers to grant her lover Endymion immortality by putting him in a state of permanent sleep, the owl represents the night and the poppy heads represent the opiate used to induce sleep, the crescent moon is often used in Greek mythology to symbolize Selene.