Grandmothers Cameo ID Help Needed

Cameo 2 by Simkitty posted Apr 5, 2017 at 11:52 AM

Cameo 1 by Simkitty posted Apr 5, 2017 at 11:52 AM

Cameo 3 by Simkitty posted Apr 5, 2017 at 11:52 AM

Hi all

My grandmother left me a beautiful cameo from her estate. I have been trying to find out more about it but have been unsuccessful. Please help me find out more about it.

Thanks in advance
Andrea

PS I didn't know how to upload the pics correctly - so please disregard the other ones

 

The gold frame is British and the cameo is made of conch shell. That bit was probably done in Italy like most of them. Beyond that...dunno.

 

Thank you, do you know how old it could be?

 

Probably late Victorian.

Debora

 

Beautiful cameo Simkitty

 

Thanks so much for your help. I'm still going through everything she left me to see what I need to insure, while everything is special, this would have to be my favourite piece.

 

Looks like she enjoyed wearing this piece a lot. The detail has been worn down in her hair.



Clean it and wear it. She would probably be pleased you are enjoying it to.

Luke warm sudsy water.
Many people might advise against adding a drop of ammonia to the water, because this is shell. If the shell were to sit in it for any length of time it would cause damage.
However if you drop the pin in and swish around for a minute or two, then take a sponge or soft cloth with liquid Dawn dish washing detergent and wash it, then rinse thoroughly, you should be very pleased with the result.

 

I've never come across Ewan and Co, I'll have a dig around. I'm not convinced the frame is gold. Naples carved cameo - Ercolani or somewhere close.

 

Is that what you are reading the mark as, Ewan? My eyesight leaves much to be desired, I'm reading it as F.W.N. I'll have to enlarge that pic.

--- Susan

 

Lovely thing!

One of my grandfathers had a gold cameo that he never removed. It was worn almost smooth, and I loved the look. No one EVER sells one like that on eBay, and I have been looking for well over 20 years!

 

Late 19th or early 20th, need to see the hinge and back properly.

You're right, it's F.W.N. Too early not enough caffeine!

 

Thank you so much, sorry for my late reply I have intermittent phone service here. I am trying to upload a photo of the hinge but it's slow going.

 

Cameo 4 by Simkitty posted Apr 6, 2017 at 5:56 PM

Cameo 5 by Simkitty posted Apr 6, 2017 at 5:56 PM

 

Definitely late 19th. In the absence of other marks, I'd say gold plated. A manufacturer proud enough to put their name on would have hallmarked if gold.

 

So does the 9ct mark at the bottom mean that it's platted in 9ct over something like silver? I would be proud if I could make something like this too.

 

Oh, FFS. Now you've said that, I've gone back and looked. I thought it said &Co! Yeah, if it says 9ct then it's solid 9ct gold.

My only excuse is I'm waiting for new reading glasses.

 

that's all good - I do that stuff all the time. Thank you for your help it is very much appreciated.