Jewellery by Design: The Collection of Dr Anne Shannon, An Academic Eye - 31st October 2018
Lot 296
A gold 'Helios'-inspired Revivalist brooch by Melillo
Estimate £2,000 - £3,000 | Hammer £8000
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Description
A gold 'Helios'-inspired Revivalist brooch by Melillo, c.1870, in the form of the chariot of the Sun supported on a bar with lion's head terminals, a cupola-shaped ornament supporting two Victories holding palms and circlets hanging from the chariot, and supporting a tassel of many fine link chains mounted with pearls and enamel-set circles and leaf motifs, signed to the reverse GM in applied cartouche, 7.5cm high, modern fitted case by Lavender
For a similar brooch see MUNN, G., Castellani and Giuliano; Revivalist Jewellers of the 19th century, page 24 and for another example by Castellani see SOROS, S. and WALKER, S., Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewellery in which a check list note no. 91 states that, translated from the Italian, ' Gold taken from a small tomb near Bolsena excavated 1861, restored and reworked Neo-Classical Castellani.
This brooch was almost certainly inspired by jewellery that was discovered from the Kul-Oba Scythian burial site from the 4th century B.C. and was excavated in 1830, see SOROS, S. and WALKER, S., Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewellery, page 208, figures 810 and 811.
Accompanied by origfinal purchase receipt from D.S. Lavender (Antiques) Ltd, dated 1st October 2002.