Summary

One of a pair of gold mounted cameo ear pendants attributed to Thomas Gaunt of Melbourne, made circa 1870.

This pair, in a richly coloured gold setting, combines the European taste of cameos together with an Australian flavour. They are almost pristine, as they were probably only worn for a special occasion or because they were out of fashion and put away for over a century. Typical of the Australian colonial period, the decoration around the imported Italian cameos is of leaves and tendrils. The matched cameos are of a classical woman's profile with cloth draped over the shoulder and with a ringlet of hair falling behind an ear.

The ear pendants are presented in their original, London made and jeweller (Gaunt) stamped, box. Although the outside has some wear, the interior is almost pristine.

Physical Description

Oval shell cameo depicting a classical figure in profile, with a gold border of of leaves and tendrils to shepherd hook fittings.

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