Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A shell cameo brooch, the oval shell cameo carved to depict a bacchante, wearing a lion pelt on her shoulder and a head-dress of fruiting vines, collet set in yellow gold, length 49.5mm. £100-£150

The bacchantes were the female followers of the cult of Bacchus, the Ancient Greek god of wine, fertility and religious ecstacy.