This is a beautifully detailed Victorian carved shell cameo brooch of Ariadne, wife of the Greek God of Wine, Dionysus - I originally wondered if the cameo might be Dionysus, but there appears to be too much of a hint of bosom!! The oval cameo has been finely carved to depict Ariadne with ivy leaf hair and a garland of ivy leaves about her shoulders. She is holding a bunch of grapes and a thyrsus ( a pine topped staff ), and she is wearing a dress decorated with an animal head - the carved has included a lot of detail and made good use of the original colours of the shell to highlight various features. The reverse of the shell has the carver's signature. The cameo is set in a decorative, good quality, 15 Carat gold mount, which is not marked, but tests as 15ct with jeweller's acid. The brooch has a pin fastener and it is all in good condition with some internal stress marks. The brooch measures 55mm ( just over 2.1/8 inches ) in width and 65mm ( just over 2.5inches ) in height. This is a striking and quality antique cameo, which has a charming subject matter. Please contact Carrow's Cameos with Item No. or Item Description to request a price or additional information regarding this piece.