Lot 22
A mid 19th century coral cameo bracelet Y
Auction: Lots 15 to 251 | Wednesday 22 October 2025 from 1pm
Description
The multiple stands of sciacca coral corallium rubrum, to an elongated clasp of an oval carved coral cameo depicting Fortitude, the profile of a woman with a lion headdress, lengths: cameo 4.7x1.5cm, bracelet 17.2cm
Provenance
From the estate of Lady Phyllis Mary Coryndon (née Worthington) (1880-1961) Hence by descent.
Originally born in South Africa, Robert Coryndon (1870-1925) became one of colonial Africa’s most noteworthy administrators as Governor of Uganda and then Kenya.
Early in his career, he worked as a secretary to Cecil Rhodes (1896-1897). In 1909 he married Phyllis Worthington, and they had four children. They made their life in Africa due to Robert Coryndon’s work for the British government. Together with his wife Phyllis, he worked to positively improve the impact the Empire had on Africa. They fought for African welfare, and they tried to reconcile the needs of African development with the economic expansion of the Empire. His legacy is still regarded as having a very positive impact on African and colonial rights.
When Robert Coryndon died unexpectedly in 1925, Lady Phyllis moved back to England where she lived for many years. She campaigned for children in poverty and difficult circumstances. Her efforts including speaking on the subject to the Women's Institute and encouraging the employment and education of these children.
According to her family, Lady Phyllis was very involved in the English Arts & Crafts movement from the mid / late 1920s onwards. She herself was an artist, specialising in silk painting and embroidery. Eventually she returned to Kenya, with her daughter Honor, where she died in 1961.
Also see lots 18, 20, 21, 123, 161, 241, 242, 243, 244.
Footnote
This cameo features a depiction of Fortitude, one of the four “Cardinal Virtues”. Fortitude signifies courage, endurance and strength. The iconography of the lion, borrowed from the myth of Hercules, is also a symbol of strength.