Antique
jewelry and other fine antique items from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian
eras
E-mail Darlene
Antique
jewelry and other fine antique items from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian
eras
E-mail Darlene
Link to Category > antique cameos
Reference #: 8273
Status: sold
Dimensions: 1.75 inches by 2.25 inches
Condition: excellent, no cracks or crazing
Year: 1870-90 but clasp is 1920's
Price: sold
Description: Victorian shell cameo depicting
the triumph of St. Michael over the devil.
According to the book of Revelations, Saint Michael commanded
God's forces in the heavenly war in which Satan and his rebel
angels were cast down into hell.
This cameo carving was obviously modeled after a famous painting
by Guido Reni which was commissioned in 1626 as an altarpiece
for the Santa Maria del Concezion, Rome.
The setting is 14kt. rose gold.
An interesting not is that St. Michael is important to
both Jews and Christians!
Michael is designated in the Book of Enoch, as "the prince of
Israel." He is the angel of forbearance and mercy
(Enoch, xl:3) who taught Enoch the mysteries of clemency and
justice (lxxi:2). In the book of Jubilees (i:27 and ii:1), the
angel who is said to have instructed Moses on Mount Sinai and to
have delivered to him the tables of the Law is most probably
Michael.
As one of the seven archangels named in the Old Testament,
he is mentioned in the book of Daniel as a "great prince" and
protector of God’s people. Icons of Michael in other churches
often depict him as a young warrior, dressed in armor.
This is because he is also mentioned in the New Testament book
of Revelation, Chapter 12, when he leads the angels in a
heavenly fight against the devil. Not surprisingly, in the
Middle Ages we find Michael was the patron saint of knights.
The Catholic church believed Michael to be the one "designated
to lead the souls of Christians to God’s judgment seat," and he
was considered the patron of the Germans, "der deutsche Michel."
To see other images of this item, please click here:
photo1 and photo2 and photo3
