Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

Yes, you are correct! I had checked Wedgwood at the V&A, and Beazley Archives for Tassie, but the sulfide cameos were at the Royal Collection Trust.

Description:
Circular tortoiseshell box and cover lined with gilt copper. Gilt-framed rectangular panel inset into the lid with two Tassie sulphide cameo profiles of George III and Queen Charlotte, on a royal blue guilloché enamel ground.

Tassie cameos are named after James Tassie (1735-1799), who created less costly versions of carved gemstones, by using glass paste, sulphur and enamel to create cameos.

https://www.rct.uk/collection/searc...e-cameosnbspof-george-iii-and-queen-charlotte

 

I keep looking at those cameos and thinking "poor Victoria took after Grandpa instead of Grandma."

 

I am posting this one just because the frame is so intricate. It is a watch fob up for auction next week. I think it is incredible, including the cameo. I wonder what other jewelry this gentleman wore....

Catalog description: An incredibly crafted and unique antique hunter's fob, set with a hand carved cameo of a wild boar and the face of a warthog and gun sculpted in gold. This is a Victorian era collector's item that is guaranteed to provoke thought and imagination. Handmade in 18k gold and platinum. Metal: 18k Yellow Gold & Platinum Gram Weight: 32.6 Stones: Banded Agate Cameo & Flat Round Circa: Victorian Condition: Excellent Dimensions: 2.25" x 1.4”





https://www.easyliveauction.com/cat...g-spring-collection-of-jewelry-xliii-lot-480/

 

An interesting Lamant cameo is up for auction tomorrow. I have never seen a cameo with a horse biting a tiger. Perhaps this is an Amazon?




https://www.easyliveauction.com/cat...tion-antique-vintage-modern-jewelle-lot-3082/

 

https://cameotimes.com/index.php/profiles-1/mortals/amazons

The cameo is aberrant in making the cat a tiger.

 

Quite a confection! Wonder if barrel of gun isn't the watch key. And looks like it opens up to more stuff.

 

that's kick ass stunning......

 

I've never seen a tiger....with 3 toes............so we're even...

 

That's odd.

 

Shell cameos do not usually fetch the really big money unless they are in an elaborate, costly setting. This is astronomical for lowly helmet shell in a dented frame, $3,250 US:



https://www.liveauctioneers.com/ite...m&utm_campaign=Trigger - Saved Items Reminder

If course, Medusa does have a way with people.

 

that carving though, does look a cut above the average...

 

It most surely is, but have seen gorgeous shell sell for far less than humdrum hardstone.

 

From the same Hindman auction:


https://www.liveauctioneers.com/ite...m&utm_campaign=Trigger - Saved Items Reminder

Not nearly as spectacular in use of material, but hardstone, & looks to be George IV, so, $4,500 US.

 

it's medusa 4 me , thank you...

 

I think it went for that much because it is signed Berini just below the base of the neck. You have to look really closely.

 

There were two Poniatowski gems in the auction: 1) Timaeus of Locris and 2) Zeus coming to Danae in a shower of gold. Perseus was the resultant child.




And

a glass intaglio signed Cerbara

 

Yes, I wish there as a picture of what it looks like inside.

 

Yes, that would do it. Sharp eyes, you. Puts me in mind of this exchange between Alice & the White King:

`I see nobody on the road,' said Alice.

`I only wish I had such eyes,' the King remarked in a fretful tone. `To be able to see Nobody! And at that distance, too! Why, it's as much as I can do to see real people, by this light!'

 

Were they represented as actual Poniatowski gems? Did you find matches in the Beazley Archive's data base? There may be another Danae, but this is the one I found: https://www.beazley.ox.ac.uk/record/DADC9168-F01C-428B-BE62-0185BF0C55D0

I could not find Timaeus at all.

 

They were not represented as Poniatowski gems, but I emailed the auction house to ask. Both are in the Beazley Archives, but Timaeus was initially hard to find.

Timaeus: https://www.carc.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/r...8-4207-AE3B-E85F3D0C1263}&returnPage=&start=0


Zeus and Danae: https://www.carc.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/r...7-41A5-A2D6-FB66645F04CD}&returnPage=&start=0

If you check the gem in the auction, you will see 2 chips on the outer edge at 7 and 9 o-clock. Then check the picture of the impression in the Beazley archive, and there are disruptions of circle surrounding the impression at those points too.

Also both gems are set in identical rings.