Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 122A
Gold Necklace w/ Agate Blackamoore Cameo, Rubies
Description:

Western Europe, ca. late 19th century CE. A gold necklace with a layered agate cameo, composed of a gold chain with a central gold pendant with filigree and four rubies and set with a large two- layered agate cameo showing the head of a Blackamoore facing left. The bezel setting is 82.3% to 89% gold (equivalent to 19K+ to 21K+), containing four Burmese rubies, and the chain is 90% gold (equivalent to 21K+). Size of strand: 19" L (48.3 cm); stone: 0.82" W (2.1 cm); gold quality: 82.3% to 90%; (equivalent to 19K+ to 21K+); weight: 12.30 grams

Historical portrayals of African people in European traditions are often overtly negative and allude to servitude. The term for these types of motifs by Europeans are known as "Blackamoor," an insensitive term that Victorian artisans used as synonymously to express prejudiced ideas of "exoticism and otherness." Artisans created jewelry of aristocratic Africans with heavily bejeweled features known as habille cameos. While some cameos are often an elegant portrayal and a stark contrast to the more extreme stereotypical and racist portrayals of African and darker skinned people, it is still important to note these cameos were made in a tradition that saw these people as decorative objects rather than historical figures of importance. Because of this unsavory association with racist depictions, these striking cameos are often overlooked, but in Western cultures where historical depictions of non-white people in any context were so scarce, they are still significant antiques to preserve.


Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York; ex-Bertolami Fine Art, London, UK, July 2023; ex-USA USA Private collection acquired on the art market.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#187315

  • Condition: Intact, excellent condition, and suitable for wearing.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

June 27, 2024 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000