Victorian Opal Renaissance Cameo Stick Pin in 18ct Rose Gold

A superb 18ct rose gold and carved boulder opal matrix cameo stick pin, attributed to the famed opal carver Wilhelm Schmidt. Intricately crafted, this sought-after example depicts the profile of a Renaissance gentleman wearing a fashionable hat. Dazzling with flashes of blue and green, the hat and flowing locks of hair have been carved from precious opal, with the face contrasting superbly carved from the dark brown matrix. Wilhelm Schmidt perfected this technique of carving in the 1870s and was applauded when examples were exhibited at the Paris Exhibition in 1878. During the late Victorian period, stick pins were often presented to mark special occasions by relatives and loved ones. As such, examples were often sentimental and highly treasured. The Russian Tsar Nicholas II (1868-1917) received countless numbers, which were all meticulously recorded in watercolours in a comprehensive jewel album. A perfect piece for a jewellery enthusiast, this example can be worn pinned into the lapel of a jacket or coat.