The closed backing on this pin is that of a brass material of an older style backing with clips to hold the cameo in place. Number of bids and bid amounts may be slightly out of date. Modern massproduced cameos can look similar to antiques, but there are some ways to tell the difference. Helmet shell cameo portrait of a victorian man by luigi. The remainder is carved away to expose the darker ground. Cameos were set in rings, brooches, earrings, and bracelets.
With various anglesshot and variations of lights and shadows i try to put in evidence even the tiniest particular, the eventual imperfections and the beauty of the facial features, of the body, of hair, of the clothes, of the objects and animals in the cameo. Shell cameos are typically made out of conch shell and have an orangishpink background with a white or cream foreground. Buy with confidence, ive been trading on ebay for 15 years. Shell cameos this is our italian shell cameo jewelry gallery where you will find only cameos that are carved from sea shells found all over the world. This motif was popular later in the victorian days.
Cameo brooch summer dream, master carved, sardonyx shell. I found this pretty shell cameo brooch in a charity shop. Shell cameo brooch of ariel on the wings of a bat, gold filled, based on shakespeares the tempest, 214. In ancient times a brooch was also known as a fibula or broach. In the early 19th century brooches set in gold or silver were luxury items and were the privilege of the rich so brooches of this era are usually of high quality. Master carvers will sign the cameo on the front of the carving. The carnelian shell is the shell most frequently used for cameo carving. It also has a loop on the back so it could be worn as a pendant, with a ribbon or velvet or leather cord put through it, as well as a brooch.
Jul, 2019 helmet shell cameo portrait of a victorian man by luigi saulini. Cameo is a method of carving an object such as an engraved gem, item of jewellery or vessel. Originally, and still in discussing historical work, cameo only referred to works. The beauty and wonder of a finely carved antique cameo has no equal, each a display of artistic talent and skill combined with the passion of a full heart and steady hand. Contemporary made hand carved shell cameo brooch in 14 karat yellow gold setting that features a carved bra. History of the shell cameos engraved by hand eredi jovon. Nineteenth century shell cameos mary baker eddy library. A stunning, fine and impressive victorian 15 carat yellow gold, carved shell cameo brooch. Brooches are probably the most popular setting for a cameo. The shell cameos, imported from italy, are all signed on the back by the master carver gennaro borriello who owns the studio. Its been really wet and windy this last week in the uk, but hubby and i decided to brave the weather and had a walk round our local town. Shells have been used for almost a years in the cameo jewelry business.
Cameo brooch history is an interesting one, dating back to 300 bc. It nearly always features a raised positive relief image. Cameos are carvings of images in relief against a contrasting background. See more ideas about shells, carving and shell art. Rare for a modern artist, the italianborn designer learned to carve cameos in the ancient technique. This was most likely because cameos carved from shell were considered more informal than the cameos which were carved from gemstone material and. In cheaper modern work, shell and glass are more common. At the cameo collection, you may find cameos made of the following materials. History and overview of cameos by preston reuther cameo jewelry. Victorian shell cameo and ornate gold gilt metal panel 0 results. The sardonyx shell has a thick outer wall and a dark brown interior. A buyers guide to cameo jewelry custom, antique, fashion. Cameo brooches are perhaps the most common style seen today, but cameo lockets, bracelets and rings can also be highly impressive collectors items. It is preferable that the jewelry box containing the cameo be lined.
Unfollow vintage cameo brooch to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Cameo jewelry, antique jewelry, vintage costume jewelry, vintage costumes, history books, the collector, modern jewelry, retro vintage, jewelery. Cameo jewelry can be either be a cheap fashion accessory, a valuable antique or a highly prized work of art hand carved in gemstone or shell cameo by a highly skilled artist. Cameo brooches information and history antique cameos. Victorian cameo brooch carved conch shell estate jewelry 350. Victorian gentleman victorian men victorian jewelry cameo jewelry helmet shell portraits brooch artist antique victorian 15ct gold large cameo spinning portrait pin brooch 31. Antique cameos cameos for sale old victorian, shell.
Fine antique victorian 9ct gold carved angel skin cameo shell pin brooch 17g. Shell cameos are easily damaged, so avoid using soap, harsh cleaners or commercial jewelry cleaners. Rare antique 1830 shell cameo full set bracelet brooch earrings necklace for sale. Cameos are often carved from shell, hardstone, and even glass. Shell broochpin victorian costume jewellery for sale ebay. The setting may be gold, silver, brass, or pinchback but the cleaning is almost the same. To help support the citys efforts to contain the spread of covid19, newyork historical is temporarily closed to the public until it is safe to reopen. Our handcarved cameos are carved by master cameo carvers from italy and most but not all of our settings are handcrafted in one of a kind setting in gold or silver your choice.
The cameo is one of the most popular pieces of jewelry in history. Cameo brooch gold platefill art nouveau style frame with a shell. A shell cameo brooch, late 19th century, designed as an ovalshaped shell cameo depicting an angel in prayer in high relief, mounted within a polished gold frame of engraved cuir roule and bead decoration, with pendant fittings, mounted in gold, 6. Large victorian 14k sardonyx shell cameo scene brooch, status. In the 16th century, workmen turned to shell to meet the demand for more cameos at less expensive prices, jeanenne writes. The most famous example of a cameo from the early period is the portland vase. Shell cameos may be stored in a clean, dry place, away from heat and bright lights. Cameo, brooch, pendant, summer love, italian, master carved. Overall, this floral cameo is very attractive and is a good size. The subjects and purpose of cameos may have changed since, but their popularity has remained fairly constant. The metal has a copper tone to it, and it has a safety chain. Faces give clues to cameos age, materials antique trader. This was most likely because cameos carved from shell were considered more informal than the cameos which were carved from gemstone material and women could wear them everyday. Other cameos often have classical scenes or stylized portraits of women.
For more information i invite you to download our free book on this magnificent work. Cameo pendant necklace fine carved conch shell antique. A 9ct rose gold and cameo brooch, the cameo shell carved with two women and a cherub around a fountain, in double rose gold mount. Amounts shown in italicized text are for items listed in currency other than canadian dollars and are approximate conversions to canadian dollars based upon bloombergs conversion rates. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Vintage 800 silver leda and the swan shell cameo brooch pin in box italy camexco 0 results. But what exactly is a cameo, and how did it come to be so popular. Sardonyx shell cameos have a pure white layer over a reddish to rich brown interior and when carved can have a marblelike appearance, whereas carnelian shell cameos range in color from reddishbrown to peach or pale orange. Make offer antique victorian carved shell scenic cameo lady landscape gilt gold brooch a189 antique victorian carved shell cameo lady gilt brooch hinged c pin c788. Lawrences do not accept responsibility as to the authenticity, date, age, period, provenance, attribution or condition of any lot. Stone cameos were cut from onyx, agate, sardonyx, cornelian.
Cameos are commonly made out of shell, coral, stone, lava, or glass. A vintage shell cameo brooch and two others, a portrait cameo set in silver, 45 x 36mm and 2 unset cameo portraits, 22 x 17mm. Cataloguingwhilst lawrences make every effort to ensure accuracy in the cataloguing of lots offered for sale, each lot is offered for sale by the vendor with any imperfections or errors of descriptions. See each listing for international shipping options and costs.
Cameo a stone or shell cut in relief using the object itself to produce. These are technically real cameos because they are made from a shell, and they are worth more than the plastic cameos, but they are still considered costume jewelry and thus are not very valuable. The most costly cameos are those which are carved from the sardonyx shell. How to properly clean a cameo cameo jewelry antique cameos. Large victorian 14k sardonyx shell cameo scene brooch. X tra fine large antique cameo shell made italy scene 45mm x 35mm 0 results. See each listing for international postage options and costs.
In color, carnelian shells are a lowintensity peach or orange color, offering contrast between foreground and background colors. Jan 12, 2017 the advent of the machinecarved cameo led to a serious decline in quality, said rowan. In addition to examining the components and findings, youll want to look at the overall style, examine for signs of repair, and use a jewelers loupe. Our wide selection is elegible for free shipping and free returns. Before that time, cameos were carved from hardstone. Many associate cameo brooches with queen victoria, who had a deep fondness for them and would often bestow a gift of a likeness of prince albert or herself on members of the court and staff. Learn all about cameostheir history, creation, use in jewelry, value, and more in this book excerpt by jewelry expert and gemologist jeanenne bell, g. Shell cameos, as used in cameo jewelry, for the most part or shell.
Although cameos hard stone and shell carved in relief date back to ancient times, they also formed part of the souvenirs of the grand tour. An 18th19th century gold and agate cameo brooch of a man. Cameos carved from carnelian shell may be reddishbrown, peach or orange. We like to share the knowledge of italian handmade jewelry.
The cameo now scognamiglios pioneering of the ancient trend has created the cameos biggest contemporary success story. Lets look at the two different methods of carvings of a. Made of shell and gold, they date back to about 1840 and were a gift of the misses cornelia and susan dehon in memory of mrs. Cameo a stone or shell cut in relief using the object itself to produce shadings of the carving from the hebrew word kameaa charm or amulet or latin cammaeus engraved gem. Pin, necklace and lockets are proudly handmade by eredi jovon in venice that offers the best selection of antique genuine real cameos hand carved with love and using the. Massproduced cameos look similar to shell, but have a grainy, pitted texture, similar to fallen snow. The gift box it comes in is very attractive, with a silver ribbon and bow on it. The cheaper molded plastic is made to look like shell but it is visibly thicker in most cases. Yet cameos have not always been decorative jewelry for women. Apr 18, 2019 the most common shell used for cameos, however, is the carnelian shell and those made of sardonyx shell are the costliest.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Inexpensive, massproduced cameos from the 1940s are sometimes carved out of shell but set in brass. How to identify real cameo jewelry the spruce crafts. The most common shell used for cameos, however, is the carnelian shell and those made of sardonyx shell are the costliest. It is important to know that carved shell is thin, making it somewhat transparent and susceptible to cracking. Read on for the history of cameos and buying cameo jewelry online. Originally, and still in discussing historical work, cameo only referred to works where the relief image was of a contrasting colour to the background. The best jewelry detectives know that leftover components from earlier periods were sometimes used by frugal jewelry manufacturers, however, and clasps might have been replaced over time as well. He has written several ebooks and produced over 34 jewelry making dvds, 150. Great savings free delivery collection on many items. This necklace and set of five brooches are part of the permanent collection of the museum of fine arts, boston. Antique victorian 14k white gold carved shell cameo brooch pin.
History of cameo jewelry, value and more interweave. We serve cookies our website uses cookies, which help us to improve our site and enables us to deliver the best possible service and customer experience, as well as to provide social media features. The brooch can also be worn as a pendent with the attached swivel ring. For many of us, when we hear the word cameo, what springs to mind is the ubiquitous victorian pin or pendant showing the profile of a lovely woman the profile portrait cameo is, indeed, an enduring subject of cameo artistry, but throughout their history, cameo motifs have included depictions of mythology, religious iconography, political leaders.
These are said to be the root origin of the word cameo, but even among experts even this is disputed. Carved shell and 15 ct yellow gold cameo brooch antique. In shell and stone cameos, the true artist takes advantage of different layers and faults in the material to enhance the design. About cameos the history of cameos the cameo collection. Shell italian cameos brooch pendant lockets handmade venice. Although occasionally used in roman cameos, the earliest prevalent use of shell for cameo carving was during the renaissance, in the 15th and 16th centuries. Art deco 10k white gold filigree brooch with handcarved shell. Antique shell cameo for sale in uk view 66 bargains. The history of shell cameos, finally revealed in a simply way. Antique victorian oval carved shell cameo 14k pin brooch pendant woriginal box. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can. Custom made to order cameos can be carved with portraits of people or pets from your photographs. They make cameos from about 26 different types of shell but for the most part there shell that came from the sea. Learn the history of cameo jewelry, and what makes some cameos more.
705 1091 1400 307 957 536 678 355 1475 1617 497 1410 905 449 24 1455 1261 260 791 1165 1606 992 322 1572 92 1510 1274 816 1024 1335 704 1137 951 1438 536 563 638 1416 60 603