A mid 19th cent. rectangular shaped with canted corner carved shell cameo representing a horse, most probably the winner of a race or competition, mounted as a brooch in a gilt silver frame.

Signed lower left T Saulini f.

Dimension cm 5 x 4

Excellent conditions, commensurate with age.

Tommaso Saulini (1784-1864) and Luigi Saulini (1819-1883) were outstanding cameo engravers of shells and hardstones, working in Rome. Tommaso Saulini began working in 1836 after studying in Rome with the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorwaldsen (1770-1844). Some works by him were commissioned by the British royal family. In 1860, Luigi Saulini came to London to engrave portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and was awarded a medal at the Universal Exhibition of the same year. Some of their cameos were based on sketches by Thorwaldsen and Joseph Gott (1786-1860); others were based on works by Antonio Canova (1755-1822). Other designs were original. As well as classical subjects, the Saulini workshop also produced portraits of members of aristocracy who had visited Rome as part of their Grand Tour.