Featured What's going on with this Victorian Cameo Brooch?

Found this for $5 and it is very ornate. Definitely Victorian. The Cameo appears to have been replaced? It is a brooch and has what looks like a hook for a pendant but if worn as a pendant this thing would be upside down.... Also, the gold appears to be flaking off in some areas? I am very confused with this piece! Still cool nonetheless.

 

isn't the hook to hang things from>> chatalaine...???

flaking ....= plated.......= 5 bucks....... no ?

 

You may be right about the hook! Didnt think about that

 

the pin looks right for an older piece......

 

The hook is meant to hold a lady's watch.
Usually these were rolled gold. An early type of plating different from today's plating. Generally it wears off, doesn't flake.
Does it look like someone might have spray painted it and paint is flaking off? I can't enlarge your pictures to get a better look.

 

What makes you think so? Since it is off center, hook may be an addition. We have taken up how a lady's watch would have been worn with a pin before:

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/great-grandmothers-necklace-question.34912/

 

The flaking is usually seen on older gilded pieces, which would have been thinly plated. Plating can flake off.
Later techniques like rolled gold are much hardier, with a thicker layer of gold. That can rub off after much use, but it doesn't flake.

 

A pretty find, Victorian Etruscan revival, and a bargain! There is a hinged V piece near the catch, acting as a security to prevent the pin opening when you wear the brooch!
Not sure if it is plated, but it is a quality piece, even if the cameo isn't the best

 

Lots of stamped gilt brass around from this era.

 

Been out of action for awhile but thany you! It definitely is the Victorian Etruscan revival. Seems like this period was 1860-1885? Always fun to find something that old!

 

Cameos of this type were a late 19h century look, so more 1880 - 1900.