Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

An interesting little piece & probably Georgian era. Clasp replaced - pretty common, but, unless details are whiting out, George not well executed. Guessing whole piece not much more than an inch high? Likely enough to be some grade of gold. Don't think I'd even consider it for anything over $200.

 

This will give you others for comparison.

 

Thank you! This one is not as fancy or exceptionally rendered as some of the examples but I think it’s a nice piece.

 

I've definitely seen worse. And the mount is a nicer one than the simple silver bezel of the country scene. I rather like that one, but head of goat looks weird?

 

Yep, the clasp is obviously replaced and I, too, am concerned about the quality of carving. The photos don't show it off well and I hoped it'd be better than it appears. It's priced higher but I'd consider it at up to $250 if subsequent photos showed significantly better carving, however I have my doubts. Hence, my hesitation... *SIGH* It's hard to keep from indulging my penchant for British monarchy stuff. (My mother is from England and has quite a collection. I'll be fighting my sister over it one day.)

 

That's my very favorite part.

Which sounds sarcastic, but I categorically assure you, it is not.

 

It is a little odd. I wonder if it accidentally got chipped?

 

I have taken the 'maybe it will be better than photos show' gamble & been right more often than not. I don't venture too much when uncertain. I've also been wrong. Maybe ask for photo a little less brightly lit? Doesn't matter if background looks black if detail of figure can be brought out. If it's really much better, & since it fits with your particular collecting interest, I can see going to $250. The vertical pin & beveled back edge on the stone put it back to Georgian/Regency.

 

Would be hard to do. Trying to imagine it without the black spots. They may just be accumulated grunge caught in deep places & distorting our perception. Have picked up some very pretty pieces at good prices because other bidders evidently didn't realize set of mouth, or nostrils, or eye sockets would look fine when clean.

 

I don't think so. Pretty sure it was a nuclear reactor meltdown. Spider bite. Alien invasion.

One of those. The carver carved WHAT HE SAW.

 

I suppose one could argue for drill work gone awry.

 

Thanks for that info, I had no idea.

 

He was channeling Georgia O'Keeffe? I was seeing drill holes too, but no evidence of them elsewhere, so standing by the grunge hypothesis.

 

These spots, particularly on the left, look like drill work to me.

But, it doesn't matter to me... however he ended up with that face, I will love it always. As it is.

 

I'd take Hebe and the eagle (Zeus?) in half a heartbeat!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Methinks me sees a cute 'lil piggy snout under that rooster's tail feathers..........

 

Now that you mention it, it does look like a pig!
And could that be a horse's head to the left of the parrot's tail feathers??

 

I think you're right. Someone was playing.

 

I was selling at an antique show today and a woman asked if I buy jewelry. I said yes and she brought out a cameo necklace. I had to disappoint her, it was the ever popular resin pony tail girl set in costume metal. She was so disappointed!

 

A hazard of developing your eye & knowledge. Some 'treasures' become less than exciting.