An elegant and rare antique Victorian-era Italian shell cameo 7-panel bracelet. Hand-carved and in a lovely sterling silver setting, this bracelet features stunning scenes of Roman gods and goddesses racing chariots, each representing the days of the week. 
 
Monday - Diana Goddess of Hunting and Chastity
Tuesday - Mars God of War
Wednesday - Mercury God of Trade and Protector of Thieves
Thursday - Jupiter Gods Father
Friday - Venus Goddess of Love and Beauty
Saturday - Saturns God of Agriculture
Sunday - Apollo God of the Sun, Art and Medicine
 
HALLMARK: Silver mark 835; the clasp telling us that this is silver with an 83.5% purity.
Ancient Sumerians created the first cameos, often used as seals. The ancient Greeks also used cameos as currency, and many of these pieces have been found in archaeological excavations. Cameos continued to be popular during the Roman Empire and were often used as signet rings. During the Renaissance, cameo jewelry experienced a revival, making it fashionable for men and women to wear cameos. The Victorian era was also a golden age for cameo jewelry, and many beautiful pieces were created during this time. To support what soon became a continental craze, Napoleon established a school in Paris and staffed it with abducted Sicilians who trained young Frenchmen in the glyptic art. For the first part of the 19th century, these artisans rivaled in output and excellence their Italian peers, producing some of the most innovative examples of the genre.
 
MATERIAL:
Sardonyx Shell, Silver 
 
AGE: 
Late 1800s
 
CONDITION:
Very good – surface wear commensurate with age and use
Each cameo is firmly set within the bezel frame. All links are accounted for. Box clasp and safety chain in good working condition. Hairline cracks in two cameos, common for this age, which do not compromise the stability of the piece. 
 
SIZE: 
L: 18 cm 
H: 1.75 cm