Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

That will take some work, but the image is gorgeous.

 

All that is needed is a tube that fits the pin stem,a bale and 2 pieces of wire.So simple most goldsmith's wouldn't even think to do it.

 

If the clasp is solid; some of them aren't. The one on this has been replaced at least once. That's a tube hinge on there with a rollover safety clasp.

 

A jeweller will probably have other, maybe better ideas, but I am imagining something that is basically A-shaped, with little tubes on each foot to slide it onto the pin stem, a cross bar for stability/sturdiness. It would be sized so the apex could just slide under the upper rim as the pin was closed again. How & where the bail would attach the jeweller would have to figure out based on how the piece balances.

Aurora/Eos is fine, but she is often seen in conjunction with her opposite number in a jugate composition. Since her sister is routinely known as Night/Nyx not Dusk, the daylight figure is usually seen as Day, sometimes you see the Greek word, Hemera. It's sort of a distinction without a difference, Day/Daybreak.

I have long wanted to know how the female version got started. Originally it was Phoebus (Apollo) who represented the light, while his sister, Phoebe (Artemis in her aspect as Hecate) ruled the night. Suppose it was a natural progression to a feminine character, but someone started it. Just lately found an answer to a question that has bedeviled me for years, so there's hope that someday I'll find this one.

 

This is why it's good to also have some kind of little clutch or stop to prevent the bail attachment from sliding right off if the pin comes open. Looks to me like this might be one of those earlier safety clasps where the pin goes in & out through an opening in the middle instead of at the bottom. If the locking mechanism moves very freely, these have a way of opening spontaneously.

 

Aquitaine, congrats for winning this beauty (+ within your budget )
I can wear most of my brooches "pinned" on stone beads or freshwater pearls necklaces.
At least on yours the pin being short won't poke your breast while wearing
Check the clasp don't open easily, risking to loose the cameo!!!

 

It is quite a possibility! I filled an empy victorian silver leaf brooch (may have had malachite or Scottish rock inlaid) with polymer clay and embeded multicolor citrines and peridots in it before baking! Great salvage result

I may have a try! I have real gold leaves for the gold effect
Still have to get a good flat mount to model it on...

 

@Bronwen I just got the cameo! tell me what you think from the new pics
Incredible fineness of the horses manes

 

I think it's a beauty. Still think she fits the conventions for Aurora/Eos, traveling across the sky, bringing the new day & the sun that opens the flowers.

What a difference a decent photo makes! I'd be exulting too if she turned up in my mailbox. The horses are excellent. Please let us know if you get the whole entourage situated in a setting. Would be nice if you could wear her.

 

Could it be vintage, carved with electric tools, or a true old one?
Anyway a nice cameo for the price

 

Oh, we cross comments, Bronwen!
Thank you so much for your opinion
Of course, I'll post an update when I'll complete a kyratised mount

 

I'm confident it's hand carved. Vintage certainly, but think probably antique, or very close to, if you adhere to the definition of 100 years or more in age. It's a combination of things having to do with the way the subject has been depicted, the quality of the work, the choice of shell that together argue for placing it to a time when cameos weren't just being hacked out. My best guess is 1880 - 1910. Wouldn't be surprised if this one has been removed from a nice setting that got scrapped for value of the gold. Seeing a lot of that.

 

Well, don't know how THAT happened.....with showing the BACK of my new acquisition......only posted the back ONCE!!!! AHH, the mysteries of the internet!!!! To add to the mysteries, for the first time in EONS, I got an EMAIL NOTIFICATION from one of you questioning a signature!!!!! WHAAAAAAAAT???????

 

Thank you Kyra!! I was still so excited I couldn't get to sleep till 3 am!!!! A good day for me.....I also finished getting the taxes ready for the Accountant!!!! WIN/WIN!!!!! As far as poking any breast...can't happen!!!! Lost one in '80 and other in '98.....haven't looked back once!!!! Healthy as the proverbial horse and my outlook is that EVERYDAY is a GIFT!!!! I'm STILL excited!!!!!

EDIT: It just dawned on me....when I say 'healthy as a horse'....I mean "Non-Life-Threatening" .....I still have the Disc disease, Arthritis & Migraines that I on occasion B & M about....but like I said they can be dealt with...... soon's I get my butt to the Dispensary!!!!

 

OMG, Kyra!!! You're SO right about the horses manes, but the whole CAMEO is LOVELY!!!! AND I'd definitely say that isn't any dead rooster or chicken in her hand.....looks more like flowers!!! I lover her riding in her car, carriage, chariot, whichever it is.....it's BEAUTIFUL!!!! Hopefully the right fitting will come along sooner rather than later so you can get to wearing it sooner!!!

 

Aahh Aquitaine, your positive way of thinking is the best, BRAVO!
I'd be very excited too with your beautiful cameo It seems you have a thing for eagles...
Thank you for your comment about the manes... and the not a dead rooster part
You can find nice freshwater long necklace (26$ for 80"!!!)from the seller of mine:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/352175817812

 

Aah Bronwen! Thanks for the confirmation!
Yes, it certainly had once a nice mount... It is awful so many unique pieces were dismantled for scrap

 

Hi,
At least the scraper did not destroy the cameo. I have seen people just smash things to get to the gold. The worst was a wonderful 6 pointed emerald glass stone which the guy hit with a hammer.
greg