A POST CLASSICAL GOLD PENDANT SHELL CAMEO OF CLEOPATRA

Circa 17th Century AD Cameo with a bust of a young woman with her head in profile to the right and her breast in three-quarter view. Her scanty drapery is knotted in the front and barely covers her breasts. The hairstyle is elaborate and a veil falls down her back. An asp appears to sit on her left hand. The image is derived from North Italian medals of the Emilian school representing 16th century ‘beauties’. However, by adding a snake the figure has been transformed into a representation of Cleopatra (69-30 BC For similar see the Royal Collection Trust. Accession Number: RCIN 65817Size: L:30mm / W:22mm ; 8.3gProvenance: Central London private collection of Ancient Art and jewellery; acquired from an East Coast, US estate collection formed before 1979.