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La Princesse Lointaine (The Faraway Princess) Cameo Size:1 - 13/16 by 1 - 3/8 inches Material: Agate. Unframed Date: French First Empire (1795 - 1810) Origin: Paris This is a museum-quality cameo of extraordinary beauty and workmanship, one of the finest pieces to come across this appraiser's desk in 20 years. The quality of the material used, the carefully-balanced composition and the deftness of the carving all suggest that this piece was produced in the cameo atelier established in Paris by Napoleon in the first decade of the 19th century. Female figures in First Empire cameos typically portray goddesses or celebrated ladies of Napoleon's court. This, however, is neither a portrait nor a deity but a depiction of idealized womanhood. The head and neck are in profile, facing left, the left ear partly visible. The lady's only ornament, a pearl-embellished hair clasp, fails to restrain her curls, which tumble loosely down onto her neck in serpentine ringlets. The locks of hair are exquisitely wrought in delicate detail and there is a sense of movement about the hair that contrasts nicely with the stillness of the face. Her face has great beauty. The chin is strong yet feminine. The lips are small, soft and full, and although they are set in a pensive expression, subtle sensuality plays about the mouth. The nose is noble and praxitelian. In the hands of a lesser carver, such a pronounced nose would give a formidable aspect to the countenance but here the lady is rescued from sternness by her magnificent eyes. With accomplished artistry a master hand has carved the eyes to convey a yearning spirit. A slight tilt to the head enhances this soulful expression. Although the cameo is in the high neoclassical style, the singular wistfulness of this face presages the more emotive style of subsequent romanticism. The lady's faraway dreaminess gives her the soubriquet, "La Princesse Lointaine", after the wistful, unattainable princess of the fable. The cameo is a relief of opaque milky-white hardstone against a shiny black hardstone field. The piece is not composite, i.e., not two separate pieces glued together, but is carved from a single natural stone of unusual quality. The white top layer is carved to an average depth of 5/7 mm. This is a mint condition piece which has never been framed and seldom handled. There are virtually no surface flaws. There is no wear to the high points of the carving and no chipping. It is in exceptionally rare condition for a 200-year-old cameo. This is a large, museum-quality cameo of surpassing beauty, a splendid example of neoclassical elegance and craftsmanship. It would sell at retail for $2,400.00.
------------- NOTE: the cameo was framed subsequently the appraisals written by Mrs. Corrie Tapp. So, the value of this magnificent piece could be now around $3,000.00 |
