Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

I brought it up here:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/cameos-show-tell-or-ask-answer.23493/page-129#post-827124

Pity the link to the contemporary photo of it is broken!

EDIT: Found a photo!

 

This is the latest addition to my collection, a somewhat unusual “pretty lady”. Seller stated the setting was sterling but it’s not marked and I have not yet tested it. There’s some sort of writing on the back, I’m hoping for help with that. I’m thinking it’s early to mid 20th century? (Disregard the streaky cloudiness above the right side of the head, that’s just glare.)

 

She's lovely. Sort of a transitional type I think: not a portrait; not quite a conventional Flora. There was definitely a period when it was a 'thing' to present subjects full frontal.

That's where I would place it, maybe between the wars.

This is where we really need @Jivvy The marks certainly look like they should be a signature, not random scratches, but very crudely done, out of keeping with the skill of the cameo. Afraid it's not ringing any bells. I looked through my (incomplete) list of 20th century cutters, but none seemed like a match. You see it best. What do you make of it?

 

I can’t get a good photo of it so I drew it out as best as I can:

View attachment 249562

Palomba?
I, too, thought it seemed a bit crude for an artist signature. Maybe a previous owner scratching the name of the sitter or her own name?

 

Found some contemporary cameo images with the name Mario Palomba

 

Even if there was a sitter, think it would have been for a model, not with the intent of producing a portrait likeness. I still think this is a fantasy female. If owner, sure took a chance.

Always a good sign when a speculative signature turns out to be in use for real people. Even better when the name is attached to a cameist. Your cameo is earlier & much nicer than the current Palombo's work, but the trade often runs in families, so you may have hit it. Looks like Mario is a hit in Japan, which seems to be the main market for contemporary Italian cameos.

 

The way they sign these days:



http://www.ebay.com/itm/392723518113

 

The way they used to sign:



With seller's fingerprints. Bad to do this if your phone unlocks using fingerprint.

 

I have a pair of cufflinks with cameos in my collection. However, I have no idea who is depicted, any hints?

 

Those are lovely. The lady on the right is the goddess Ceres/Demeter. The lady on the left offers no identifying characteristics that I recognize, which does not mean that there is no identity traditionally associated with her. This cameo is almost certainly a copy of an engraved gem, not a new composition, & that gem may be known as something more than 'classically styled female head'. However, sadly, my knowledge is not deep enough to know her offhand. Ceres is much easier because the wreath of grain stalks gives her away.

I can't guess from the photo whether these are hardstone or glass paste. I just see potential for a great pair of earrings.

 

With my enthusiasm for rescuing sad little gems I tripped over this and for £10 including postage hopefully a reasonable price too. Although no where near the quality of some of the ones I lust over I thought she was better than average. There is a tantalising glimpse of a signature under there!. Shame the clasp is a disaster and the front is compromised with the metal showing through but maybe I can do some light restoration if advisable. A good face wash is definitely in order!. With that long pin is she likely 19th C?
Photos are sellers not mine and she hasn't arrived yet but I wanted to share.

 

They are agate, set in yellow and rose gold.
They will not be changed into earrings...

 

Oh dear, she has seen some hard times. But looks to be a pretty little bacchante under all that grime. Treat her to a long, soothing bubble bath when she arrives & apply a soft toothbrush to dislodge the stubborn bits that will cling to the crevices. What in the world was someone thinking, to nail her to all that metal? Late Victorian. At least now she has a loving home. We look forward to the 'after' pix.

 

Late 19th century, early 20th century; but I am missing a frame. It looks kind of crucified to me

 

What does that mean?
I think she will scrub up quite well.

 

As in Bacchus?

 

The „nails“ kind of destroy the look/appearance

 

Oh. Ok.

 

Exactly, one of his ecstatic female followers.

 

The crucifixion looks to be as old as the piece or close to it.