Cassis Madagascariensis with Pompeian cameo

The quintessence of Neapolitan art: the cameo technique realized on the entire surface of a Helmet Emperor -Cassis Madagascariensis- of the Caribbean.This Pompeian engraving mixing theatre, Roman life and angels was carved in Torre del Greco, the Neapolitan city that has been concentrating this know-how since the Renaissance. Usually of modest size for making brooches, pendants or earrings. Napoleon 1st has also greatly revived the fashion of cameos since he even has some on his crown. The impressive fresco on this large tropical shell required several weeks of hand work by the Neapolitan artisan. The interest of this species is the difference in colour between the white upper layers and the deeper, pinkish layers that emerge when digging. And when the light passes through it, an amber color appears. A rare piece.