Featured Wondering about this broken brooch Cameo. Zeus?? Tested Silver

I did more reading on cameos last night and believe me I now look closer at them when I see them. Thanks everyone.

 

What did you read?

 

I just never realize just how many different types of shell are out there. I am amazed at all the work in some of them. I use to think that all cameos were of people. I also have this mourning jet cameo as well that came in a auction lot that I purchased. I have no idea who she could be. But I just think she is beautiful.

 

She's a great incidental acquisition. I rarely see cameos that have actually been carved in jet. When jet is involved, it is more often as a setting for a helmet or conch shell cameo.

Looks to me as though this was made in two pieces, just as it would have been if the cameo had not been of the same material. The outer part could be ground to shape and polished mechanically, by relatively unskilled workers, while the cameo had to be cut by hand.

She is not a copy of anything I have seen before. I am inclined to think she could be a portrait of an actual person; portrait cameos are the only ones I see where the sitter is wearing a sprigged dress. The arrangement of the hair is another departure from the conventional curls loosely gathered up, tendril trailing down here and there. The carver has given a nod to the prevailing style in cameos by giving her what I think is meant to be either ivy leaves and berries, or grape leaves and grapes, as though she were a bacchante, as a final touch.

Because I think this one may provoke some debate over whether it is carved or molded, I am adding a cropped photo of yours with the contrast a little enhanced, along with photos of frequently seen artificial pieces. And I'm making them thumbnails so they do not take up two more pages. Click to enlarge.

 

Yep exactly.
Sometimes even after I have read something I can't even remember what it was I read.
I call mine the "In and Out Brain". Retains nothing like it used to.


Thanks Bronwen, I see now where baby oil was mentioned and yes I did read that, and dismissed it. Baby oil has a scent to it, therefore something must be added. I prefer mineral oil.

I also saw where the reason for not oiling shell has to do with the ability to test it for what ever scientific reason. Therefore I would be inclined to use a cloth with a little mineral oil on it to wipe down a cameo if needed.

 

I'm not worried about any of my pieces needing scientific testing, but NY dust is black, oily & gets in everywhere. For me & mine, I see oiling as not only unnecessary, something that could lead to greater need for washing. I agree with you, if you're going to /;'P) (the emo Gilligan invented: 'the cat just jumped in my lap so I'm typing with one hand because I need the other one to hang on to the keyboard') oil, simple mineral oil is best Had this same exchange with a cameo-collecting friend in England who's an oiler. She likes baby oil because of the scent. The shell dealer's method combines hydration with a way to then distribute the oil into all the nooks and crannies. I mostly advise people that it's OK to wash with soap & water as long as nothing that might be corrosive is used, not to store cameos in a way that might lead to Byne's disease, not to let the cat swat an unattended one off the desk. Oiling is more of a cosmetic treatment I leave to individual judgment.

 

What a wonderful wealth of information you have all offered, Thank You very much !! ... please carry on .. Joy.