A most unusual 14/15K gold (tested) cameo pendant, carved finely not out of shell but natural antler, depicting a very detailed scene of stag and doe lying together in a wooded glade. The stag - king of the forest - has an ancient association with autumn, as the males let out their bellowing rutting cries in September and October before shedding their antlers (to then be collected for carving such items as this!). The little scene feels so calm - maybe the stag and doe are having a moment of post-rut bliss...

The ornately scrolled 14K gold (tested) mount is very much in the style that would have been used to mount a shell cameo from this time, about 1870, and the antler is stained to resemble carved shell with the stags in pale relief against the brown background. Often carved antler pieces originated in Switzerland and Bavaria. The cameo style of this one is a bit different to the mounted openwork ones we've seen before.

A very elegant elongated shape, looks lovely in wear.

MEASUREMENTS: 1 11/16" top to bottom not including top loops. 2.6g in weight.

CONDITION: Very good, wearable antique condition - please view all close-up photos. A little darker surface patination to the bottom of the gold mount which could be easily removed with polish cloth if desired, we haven't polished it at all. Any display boxes/chains are shown for photography purposes only.