Know anything about cameos?

[glitts]

Hello, can anyone tell me anything they know about this cameo. I received it from my great grandmother before she passed and just came back across it in my old jewelery boxes. I have tried researching it, but there are so many different ones out there. I would appreciate anyones feedback.
Thanks so much
Melissa

 

[glitterata]

Can you make those pictures any bigger? It''s hard to see.

However, from squinting at her, she looks like a lovely lady carved from shell in maybe the 1940s? Or maybe the 1950s? That''s a completely unscientific guess. I''m going by the hairstyle and the look of her face. I''m sure she''s 20th century, since she has short hair. A Victorian cameo would have long hair. A cameo from the 1900s-1910s would be stouter. Something about her hair and ears makes me think the 40s or 50s.

In any case, she''s lovely. What else did you find in that jewelry box?

 

[glitts]

Thanks for responding glitterata! Unfortunately, I have a limited amount of web space for uploading pictures. But if you go to http://www.adamg816.zoomshare.com/1.shtml/My%20Stuff you can see the picture a little larger, plus some of the other things I found in the box. I must warn you-LOL-some of these pictures are a little blury(I need a new camera). Well if you know anything about any of them, please feel free to contact me. Thanks so much!

Melissa

 

[perry]

You definetaly need to be able to take better picutes. Many electronic cameras allow you to change some settings on how the camera focuses (most cameras are not set to focus on sharp edge detail - which is what you need for close up jewelry photos). Please check your owners manual.

I agree that the cameo was probably carved in the 1900''s, and not in the 1800''s.

However, more cannot be said without really good detailed picures. So much of the value of a cameo is from the details of the carving and certain condition situations.

I used to collect cameos - but ended up selling all the good ones when money got tight.

I live in NE Wisconsin if you are close.

Perry

 

[Sagebrush]

Dear All,

Speaking of jewelry, there are two broad categories of cameo, shell and hardstone. First came hardstone, started with the Greeks of the classical period carving layered chalcedony, a stone often occurs in parallel layers of orange and white. These were done by the same artists who carved intaglios, the sealstones of the ancient middle east.

One definition of cameo in fact is "carving in relief" in opposition to intaglio carving which is carved into the stone as is meant to be used as a seal so the raised design is visible when impressed in clay or some othe medium (sealing wax).

Hardstone cameos require an entirely different technique and tools as they are carved in chalcedony which is harder than steel. Shell cameos came later, and are carved from layered shell, usually Helmet Shells. Shell cameos can be carved with steel tools and require much less training and skill.

There is a very large diffence in price between a well carved hardstone cameo and an equally well carved shell cameo.

Cheers,