Small chryselephantine bust of a woman

Quality workmanship for this Neo-Renaissance bust of a woman in carved ivory and vermeil damascened silver. The hairstyle, with wisps of hair and a heart-shaped clasp, is pulled up on the back of the head and ribboned. She is wearing a silver gown damascened with vermeil and floral motifs, open at the top of the arms to reveal the ivory part.

Silver hallmarks on the back: a stylized N and traces of two illegible hallmarks.

The bust rests on an oval black marble base.

It is rare for chryselephantine sculptures to be in solid silver.