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Details
A Victorian gilt-mounted shell cameo brooch
The oval shell cameo depicting 'Camillus rescuing Rome from Brennus' in gilt entwined tubular mount, circa 1860
The oval shell cameo depicting 'Camillus rescuing Rome from Brennus' in gilt entwined tubular mount, circa 1860
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Further details
The scene is after a painting by Sebastiano Ricci which records an episode from Roman history. During the siege of Rome by the Gauls in 390 B.C. the Romans agreed to pay a ransom in gold in order prevent the Gauls from sacking Rome. When the Gauls were seen to be using false weights the Romans complained and at this point Brennus the leader of the Gauls threw his sword on to the scales in order to increase the ransom and cried "Woe to the defeated". The Roman Dictator Marcus Furius Camillus declared "The Romans are more accustomed to deliver their country with iron, not gold". The Gauls were eventually defeated.