Featured What's THIS Cameo made of Please???

So, from what I've been reading, it looks like mine might be an ambrotype.......or even a tintype?

 

Yes, I think so. If you have a strong magnet you could try it on the front of the glass to see if it sticks. That is not completely definitive. If it does not stick it is definitely an ambrotype. If it does stick, though -- it is probably a tintype but there is a slight chance still that it is an ambrotype. The reason for that is that a few ambrotypes have blackened metal behind the image. But most do not have that.

You can also carefully take it apart to look, but do that only if you have read about how to do it and are comfortable with the idea.

 

Do you think your cameo was made like these? These are plaster.




Antique 3 Grand Tour Plaster Intaglio Cameos Minerva Juno Hercules Paoletti Rome
eBay item number:121849795857

 

Didn't have to take it apart......definitely magnetic!

They're definitely not as high relief as mine, but actually not sure at all! Something I haven't done up to this point, not sure why, but, is put a very strong loop on mine and see what I can see from there........will try to post results if anything interesting!!!

 

So it is probably a tintype, although there is a slight chance it's an ambrotype. Good work!

 

WOW!! I really LOVE my digital microscope!!! So I'll post the pictures, but it appears that whatever the cameo on the Union Case is made of, it and the painted Lavender background are one and the same.....at least that's MY take on it.....can't imagine the amount of work!!!! But of course always open to opinions!!

 

I think it's probably ceramic or plaster (as somebody else suggested), but can't tell for sure. Remember that the first plastic material was celluloid, and it was developed in the 1860s, right around the time of this case's manufacture. From the photos I do not think this cameo is made of celluloid.

From that last photo on the side, I think the red background might be painted on. If so, maybe the entire thing was one color, with paint applied?

 

Just to be a PITA nitpicker: the oldest plastic is lacquer.

The cameo could be gesso, or whatever material was used to do the moldings on old picture frames.

 

So the mystery continues......but am agreeing with Fig that the background IS colored......substance?....not a clue to me.....but I love how the microscope "gets right in there"!!!!! And you're NOT a 'nitpicking PITA' MOS!!!! Input ALWAYS appreciated!!!!!

 

Aquitaine those close-up photos are amazing! What are you using?

 

A 50X - 500X "digital microscope electronic magnifier" that I got on Amazon.com......I think it was like $30.00.....your best shots are when you can set the object down......trying to hand hold at that close focus will give you PLENTY of hand shake and Out-of-Focus shots otherwise!!! I use it with Photoshop, but I think it will work with any photo editing software. I think there are a couple of others on this site that have them too. I have BOTH SOFTWARES OPEN, so when I'm ready to snap a pic, I use my mouse with the microscope software and it opens it right up in Phothshop....so I can do any cropping necessary.......