Eros And Aphrodite Cameo Pompom Brooch, 1840

This beautiful, highly ornate pomponne brooch features a shell cameo depicting Eros throwing himself into the arms of his mother, Aphrodite. The engraving of the white layer is finely detailed, standing out against the soft beige background. The stamped decoration of the mount consists of scrolling leaves, palmettes, and half-spheres.
Pomponne: Its name comes from the eponymous Hôtel de Pomponne where it was developed by two goldsmiths at the end of the 18th century. A copper-based alloy intended to imitate gold, it was used until the second half of the 19th century before being superseded by gold plating.
This piece is an early conversion of a bracelet clasp, as indicated by the notch for the ratchet mechanism on the edge. C-shaped clasp system.

PERFECT CONDITION, Restoration period, circa 1840.

Dimensions: 4.8cm x 4.8cm
Weight 19g