A stunning early 19th century Italian hardstone cameo pendant, probably circle of Nicola Morelli. This beautiful four layered agate is carved from one stone with great skill to reveal the bust of a Bacchante. The carver cleverly uses each of the stone’s four layers to highlight different aspects of the image. The topmost being a darker brown used for the stola draping over the shoulder as well as the vine leaves wreath. A lighter and more translucent brown hue is seen on the curled locks which roll down the neck. The exquisitely smooth skin in third layer is an opaque white colour with hints of blue seen in the transition between layers, which contrasts with the dark brown final layer in the background.

A ‘Bacchante’ is a term used to describe a female follower of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and fertility. Often depicted as a beautiful young woman wearing a garland of grapes and vine leaves in her hair, they were commonly featured in cameos, brooches, and other forms of jewellery of the Georgian and Victorian eras.

The gold mount is crafted in 14K gold and the pendant bail was a later addition. The pendant measures 3.3 cm x 2.6cm and weighs a total of 8.81g.

This superb glyptic cameo clearly relates to the virtuoso carvings of bacchantes (maenads) and other Dionysiac figures by the celebrated Roman engraver Nicolo Morelli (Italian, 1771–1838) and his student, Benedetto Pistrucci (see final photo). Compare, for example, with the cameo by Morelli the British Museum (inventory no. 1978,1002.254), as well as Bonham’s (December 2016, lot 121 - £7500) and Sotheby’s (Small Wonders: Early Gems and Jewels - lot 42, 82). The quality of the present cameo is high and there is the possibility that it could come from Morelli's workshop. Similar examples have been attributed to Nicola Morelli (Italian, 1771–1838), and can be found in the British Museum (inventory no. 1978,1002.254), as well as Bonham’s (December 2016, lot 121) and Sotheby’s (Small Wonders: Early Gems and Jewels - lot 42, 82).