Archaeological-revival gold and hardstone cameo brooch, Castellani, circa 1860

The carved agate depicting the profile of a Bacchante with fruiting grapevines in her hair and a nebris on her shoulder, within a gold wirework frame, signed with interlaced C's.

The nebris, the skin of a panther or fawn, was originally worn by hunters and others as an appropriate part of their dress. It later became associated with Dionysus and consequently was adopted by his retinue and votaries in the processions and ceremonies they observed in his honor. Although the feature of the profile seems to indicate the subject of the present carving is a Bacchante, it is also possible that the profile is of Dionysus himself, portrayed in his late iconography as a beardless, adolescent youth of effeminate aspect, his head of long, curly hair crowned with vine leaves and grapes.