Museum-quality exquisitely carved Cornelian shell cameo depicting Dionysus (Baccus), the god of wine, agriculture and fertility In a typical manner, Dionysus is depicted carrying a thyrsus and his head is crowned with a wreath of vines. His chest is adorned with a cameo of his foster father and tutor Silenus—one can say there is a picture within a picture The cameo is mounted on a solid gold frame which tests for at least 14ct gold (possibly 15ct) and was likely made in France or Britain; the pin at the back has been replaced as some point with a silver pin The cameo was carved by an Italian master craftsman in the early Victorian period, circa 1850-60 In very good antique condition, free of cracks and other blemishes