Featured Cameo, for Bronwen opinion!

I just bought this one, these are called in France "camée négresse", en habillé because of the applied jewels.
Described as Art Deco...
But these are around 1860

The mount isn't gold, I don't know till in hand if it is carved from one agate piece or if the head is glued on the white background
Lacking the net in her hair and an earring, I'm thinking maybe try a kyratisation...

 

That one is very striking, Kyra!

 

It is, very striking.
Looks like the girl is glued to the back. Kyratisation would be a good solution for the jewels, will you show us the result?

 

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Yes! And... Yes I'll post the result if it is satisfying

Here are precious examples from Google images:

 

Really stunning, Kyra.

 

Can always tell more, of course, with the piece in hand, but will tell you what I would notice if I were considering buying it. I will probably say things you already know, but may help others to spell them out.

It is definitely made in 2 pieces. From here, I get mixed signals about the figure. See some things that would suggest molded artificial material, but others that suggest it was carved. Some of what gives the impression of artificial, the - technical term - crud around the edges of the figure, may just be - another technical term - grunge & come off with gentle cleaning & not indicate decay. The background looks like glass. The French do some spectacularly good cameos in glass.

In English these are known as blackamoor cameos. We do use the French for cameos that are themselves wearing jewellery, they are dressed, they are en habillé. Blackamoor cameos are very often en habillé, depicting what to their makers were exotic figures like bejewelled pashas, noble savages decked out as European nobility.

Googling images, I see quite a number that resemble this one in a general way. None have a figure exactly like this, highly encouraging for carved rather than molded; all on these stark white backgrounds. All are female adorned in different ways, all described as Victorian with hairdos not commonly seen in Africa apart from on European colonists. I get a Belle Époque feel from them. The carved hoop earring on this one makes me think turn of the 20th century. They turned up on cameos of Diana & other Pretty Ladies around then.

I have no doubt you are a better judge of the lady's own jewellery, but think I see a spot of verdigris on the necklace? It is difficult to make anything of the 'stones' from here, but another thing you are well placed to judge. Enamel or glass paste?

I think it is a prime candidate for Kyratization. Assuming a good price, so a very good find.

In case blackamoor cameos are new to some, a little general info. They were popular in the Renaissance & had a resurgence in the 18th century, then, obviously, in the period when pieces like this were made. Naturally there are collectors of them. They are not to my personal taste, so adding a few that are, mainly because we all like to see pretty & amazing things.



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Support the right to bear knowledge!

I support the right to arm bears.

 

The little bear emo at the end of my signature is misleading. The statement actually has nothing to do with bears.

 

I had not actually noticed the emo: eyes too bad & knowledge of the emo dictionary too limited. But I never construed your statement, which I endorse, as being about bears. I would also like to change the second amendment to the US Constitution to my statement.

 

Ah, like minds, then!

 

Isn't that why so many of us have such fun with this board? My introduction thread turned into something like an office party, except with coworkers you like.

 

The head looks like it was applied,the side view with what look like shoulder/chest appears to have a "painted" surface with bubbles.

 

The OP's looks like jet or coal applied to a white agate background. I'd have jumped on her in a red hot minute at the right price. and stuck her straight into my jewelry hoard. That's if one African-american friend or another, or friends who've worked in Africa, didn't coax her out of me.

 

Adding this one from my own collection as this seems like a good place for him. May have been meant as Omar Khayyam.

 

Thought so too. There are tiny dimples, which would suggest bubbles, but also lines which could be cut marks. Kyra will be able to tell us more once it has arrived.
Still, a striking piece, even more so after kyra's specialized kyratization.

By the way, I had that hairdo at my wedding, but with added flowers. By that time carrying a bouquet around would already have been too heavy for me, but I thought it was a nice solution.
No, I didn't look like my avatar.

 

Oohh! He is fantastic!!! Thanks for sharing, Bronwen

 

Unusual. I agree, although we don't know exactly what he looked like, the cameo looks like the usual portrayal of Omar Khayyam.
He was a friend of two of my ancestors, diplomats/Islamic scholars, who lived in Samarkand and Bokhara at the time. So if you ever grow tired of him, and desparately want him out of your way, I'd be happy to help you.

 

Yep, from enlarged pics, the surface is rather uneven... molded and in two parts is the highest probability!
Little verdigris showing on the jewels says it isn't gold, I was aware of that it is probably gold filled...
I hope I'll be able to improve the lacks, just ordered 28 gauge dead soft gold filled wire ;-)

 

I am really looking forward to the end result, I'm sure it will be wonderful.

 

Way cool! He is only recently arrived, so not going anywhere yet, but it would be nice, when he moves on, to have it be to somewhere he would particularly be enjoyed.

Looked into Khayyam after reading that the Rubaiyat, along with Greek and Roman classical literature, became popular reading for the Victorians & found that the cameo had some resemblance to depictions of the poet. However, the piece is about 200 years old now, probably too early for this literary revival, so he may just be a 'type' which particularly exploits the possibilities of this kind of shell.

The cameo with a turbaned woman was sold as agate, but appears to me to have been made like this one of Kyra's: carved natural material affixed to glass: http://www.ebay.com/itm/142516632320