Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

Bronwen, I would never have recognized that to be Mona!

 

Mona from down the block maybe! Nice opals though.

 

Thanks, I never knew what these were called, exactly. Do they have a point on both sides?

Thanks too for pointing out the opals in the Mona brooch, they are lovely. I was so caught up with Mona herself, I didn't even see them!

 

I've never seen a point-cut diamond out of the setting, so I don't know. IIRC they used to be called writing diamonds sometimes, because you could use the point to scratch glass. No idea if that's true though.

 

Interesting, thanks!

 

She looks like she's waiting to be handcuffed.

 

Hello everyone! It's been a while haha! Hope everyone is doing well. I came back from the dead with a new obsession with Cameos! I wanted to share two of them. The first one was cheap and I thought it was plastic but now that I have it, it looks carved. I just really like the way she looks. The second one I really fell in love with. I think she is supposed to be Diana? No clue what age or anything for both of them . The first one is set in 800 silver and the second one I think too (can't really see the stamp that well. Might be 800 or 900 maybe?) I'm still a Cameo newbie but I got these because I really like how they look .

 

Both are cut in helmet shell, mounts are probably Italian 800 silver. The ladies have a 1950s look & you are correct that the second one is intended to be Diana/Artemis. The second one is signed on the back, but not a mark I can read.

Welcome to the world of the cameo obsessed.

 

Thank you for your reply! I got really interested in the history of cameos and I didn't know that many of them displayed Greek mythology. I was looking at hundreds of cameos to learn and see the different styles of them. I don't know how I never even thought about adding some to my collection before haha. I am eyeing a few cameos that look a little more "classic" I guess. What do you think of these three? (I do like the first one but the hair in the back kinda creeps me out haha) Do you think the lady in the 2nd one is Athena? I think the 3rd one has a small piece missing unfortunately, but still beautifully carved. The first one is gold plated and the other two are silver. (These are the sellers photos)

 

The first one is something to consider, but if the hair creeps you out... The second one is as you thought, Athena. (Anyone wearing a strand of pearls with a helmet is Athena.) If the price seems good to you, this one is worth having. If you buy the third one & keep up your interest in cameos, you'll regret it.

I know this thread is a beast, but if you have the time, go through it looking at the pictures for some eye training. You'll see a range of cameos, including some that are of very high quality. When you are evaluating a cameo, this is the standard you should compare to.

Many cameos shown side by side: CameoTimes.com

 

Thank you! Yes I was looking through the thread a little bit before looking at cameos. I do like the Athena one and the seller is selling it as "Centurion" but I was questioning that since she is wearing pearls! Yes, I like how unique the first one is. I know that keeping the hair of someone was popular in the Victorian era, its just weird to me in a way (just my opinion). The cameo is pretty though! Does that one portray anyone in particular or is it just a regular gal? Thanks so much again! I'll keep reading through this thread.

 

CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

I'm bringing this forward as an example of how mythological subjects could depart from the straight & true.

A beautifully engraved oyster shell depiction of Perseus rescuing Andromeda from the sea monster. We have the maiden, the monster, the hero & what? A winged horse?! Surely the engraver had Pegasus in mind. The problem is that Pegasus springs from the severed neck of Medusa. Perseus does not slay Medusa until after he rescues Andromeda. He can reach Andromeda because Mercury/Ares lends the hero his winged sandals.

The engraver may have known perfectly well that other depictions of this scene did not include a flying horse, but made the choice to include one. Trying to find a story to fit the picture will be fruitless.

 

Regular gal, what I classify as a Pretty Lady. They occur in all time periods, changing their hair to follow the fashion.

 

She would look very much better cleaned up. This would have to be done carefully because of the hair memento, obviously no soaking. Toothpaste can be useful for a controlled clean. Rub in with a finger, then apply a soft toothbrush. Wipe off with damp paper towel. Air dry thoroughly. (Then bush off any shreds of paper towel.)

 

Yes, I figured even though I think that the dirt gives a good contrast, kinda like an enamel effect haha.

Well, I ended up purchasing Athena

I am hooked now, there is no going back.

 

Dear lord this one's kinda creepy where's the ear? And it looks like she has teeth. I read @Bronwen is a fan of teeth in cameos, especially the creepy ones lol .

 

What's on the back of her neck?

 

Looks like a curl of hair hanging down.

Yea, I'm not a fan of the toothie cameos either

 

Sorry @Bronwen, I just HAD to play with it.....I couldn't see that she was shackled even!!! VERY COOL SCENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Duh....would help if I posted image!!!)

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