A lovely old carved shell cameo depicting the myth of Laocoon and his sons. A priest, Laocoon should have been celibate but he chose to marry and had two sons. Offended by Laocoon’s breaking his oath of celibacy, Apollo sent serpents to kill him and his sons for angering a god.
The brooch is 1 3/4″ tall x 1 3/8″ wide. Assume the frame is coin silver with a gold wash. Excellent old piece.