19th century, large sea shells with carved and incised cameo portraits, the larger example depicting a woman, possibly a bacchante, wreathed in grapevines, approximately 7 x 5-1/2 x 4-3/4 in.; the smaller depicting a woman with Classical hairstyle adorned with flowers, approximately 5-1/2 x 4-3/4 x 4-1/4 in.

surface dirt layer and accretion, scattered surface scratches and small edge chips; smaller example with numerous fissures to top (possibly natural)