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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Bronwen, post: 4392389, member: 5833&quot;]From the front it looks like shell to me too, but from the back it looks like stone.&nbsp; If I had it in hand, I would want to examine closely the areas I have outlined below to see whether they are what I call the aura seen sometimes on hardstone at the edge of delicate details such as curls of hair, or are the edges of 2 separate pieces that have been put together with an adhesive, some of which has oozed out.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]370045[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>The thinness of the nose argues for stone.&nbsp; Cleaning him up might resolve things.</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;m not surprised it tests as 18ct, the strength of that C clasp &amp; pin stem is characteristic of higher quality pieces.&nbsp; It is consistent with better pieces from the late 19th century.</p><p><br /></p><p>Something has been done to the back of it.&nbsp; Weirdly, the damage does not seem to have anything to do with the hinge&nbsp; [USER=1496]@Hollyblue[/USER] Would you take a look?&nbsp; Did someone start an attempt to remove the cameo from the frame?</p><p><br /></p><p>Suggest to your friend that she look on the pin stem to see if this is a mark.&nbsp; Could be the French eagle head.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]370046[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>This is meant to look like a Roman emperor.&nbsp; I&#039;m not good with Roman emperors.&nbsp; However, my instincts tell me it is the portrait of a private individual, styled to look like a Roman.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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