Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

You are correct I was going by memory of what turns out to be misinformation. I thought Judas was a 13th disciple & that's why the number 13 is considered unlucky. But you're right, there are 12 including Judas.

I do not know what the shell is. I have a few pieces that seem to be the same stuff & have saved photos of others & they are definitely some type of shell other than one of the usual helmet shell candidates. They have a matte finish all over, no glossy enamel layer; they are dark brown & cream.

 

This is my only cowrie shell cameo, depicting Pliny's doves. It is just a smidgen longer than an inch in length. It is unsigned.

 

Nice!

 

I have only a couple of cowrie shell pieces. One was shown here some time back when acquired. It is reverse carved & translucent so that the speckled outer layer shows through in a softened way, to some extent giving the appearance of hardstone.



The other is a little money cowrie with Medusa on it.

 

What a cool technique. I have never seen that before. Thanks for sharing.

 

It gives such a lovely effect, surprised it did not become a standard way of cutting cowrie in addition to carving down from the outer surface.

 

Here is another cameo up for auction on eBay by our ubiquitous carver, Charles Schmoll. Psyche is the subject this time. Starting bid is set at GBP 275 ($363).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mid-Centur...079699?hash=item446d648293:g:jVUAAOSwwO9f1L3d

 

Think they will have to content themselves with an offer. If it fetches asking price, it will be one for the surprising results thread.

 

I have a question about dating this cameo. It has a tube hinge and a rollover clasp. Her case is unmarked silver, also there is a crack in the background at about 10:00 to 11:00. She measures 1-3/8" x 1-3/4".

Based on the findings, the shape of her nose and the style of her hair I am thinking early 20th century no later than the 1930s.

What does everyone think, do I have that right?

Thanks so much for any opinions

 

She's not very early 20th. I would say 30s earliest, 30s - 40s my best guess. She hasn't devolved into the cutesy type with the ski jump nose who shows up in the 50s & after.

 

Thank you very much Bronwen!

 

I stumbled across this listing today on Etsy. The seller is making casts of cameos and other Victorian jewelry. Then she makes duplicates in resin and sells them. So this is a fake of a fake.

 

Hope no buyer would stop reading after the title & miss the fine print that says it's resin. A $68 fake fake, just what the cameo world needs.

 

If you check out her Etsy shop she has jet earrings and lava cameos- all made of resin. And her stuff is not cheap either!

 

Doesn't Etsy have some kind of reporting system? That title is totally misleading!

 

I suppose the argument would be it's coral colored & the true nature is in the description, up to the prospective buyer to read it.

 

I know of a third cowrie piece you have...

 

a fake of a fake... Brilliant!

 

Sorry. It lives with another carved cowrie in a different display area.



The lizard is Zuni; 'Bronwen' is a gift from bluumz. (I'm husbanding the hot fudge sauce to make it last as long as possible. Seriously delicious.)

 

Hi @Bronwen
I bought the attched brooch Cameo, but don't know anything about Cameos or Vintage, I just liked the girl, and name it " The Virgin" she looks high class and very yang. It is set o a 9 karat in the UK,but it on auction in the UK for £50.
Please let me know your thought on age, carving etc.
I would appreciate some reading material as well.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Simona