Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

Really, we've seen worse:

 

Thanks, that really brings it out. Have added to my Perseus file.

 

Oh, now I see. Was looking at it with my phone when I asked. The others seem to mostly have the curl or tress flying out a little from the neck, not against it. But I think the small phone screen did me in on that one.

 

I'm dead

 

A great one! In the worst way!

 

I came across this one and I think she looks quite pretty (setting included). I was trying to ID her (if she is even anyone at all), and I saw what appears to be a wheat stalk just above her diadem. Does this indicate that she might be Demeter/Ceres? (Trying to train my eye! ) I was looking at other cameos that display her and it seems that there are often a lot more grain stalks present. (Even on the ones that are not as detailed). This one seems super subtle so I am not sure. (Don't tell my husband that I am still looking at more cameos haha )

 

I like the setting. Very simple and elegant.

Maybe her ear slipped?
Or she is turning into a werewolf?

 

From the first photo I thought it might be a laurel wreath instead of a grain stalk, but second pic makes it look like grain to me too, so Ceres/Demeter it is. She's quite nice. (And I won't tell hubby.)

 

Thank you Bronwen! I read through your website and it's a major help! The key list of symbols and photo examples are awesome!

 

She's a sweet one

 

Didn't think anyone ever used that. Really pleased to hear it was useful.

 

Guys, I know I am flooding this thread please bear with me
There is just so much to see, and so much to (potentially) buy .

What do you guys think of this one?
I am absolutely IN LOVE with the cameo (Thinking it's Hera) and I like that the setting swivels. Unfortunately, its not marked and seller thinks its plated. I am thinking it might be gold-filled though its hard to tell without testing. Judging from the hinge/c-clasp it might be an older piece. But err.. what's with the random snake though .




there is also this one 14k (apparently setting is not original) but I am a pendant girl, so for pendants I look and it's also signed. Can't really see it well though. I am guessing the white part next to her face is part of the shell color

 

I like both of those!

 

Both would generally be seen as Hera/Juno, although we don't know if the cutter had anyone specific in mind.

This would have had a memento compartment on the back. It swivels so you could wear it with either side showing.

Is there a snake head on the other end? We can only see what might be a snake tail. This is obviously not an ouroboros (snake biting its own tail), which were sometimes used as a frame around a cameo subject, either on the cameo itself or as part of the mount. I have seen mounts with snakes that have nothing to do with the cameo subject.

I always say I buy cameos, not settings. The high price of gold has rather changed the calculation. Think it can be assumed this one is not solid gold. Quite likely to be brass, maybe pinchbeck. Gold plated/gold filled does not make much difference.

Could be from any time in the latter half of the 19th century.

Yes, natural to the shell, not any kind of change worked by time.

I agree the setting seems more modern than the cameo, but could be the first time it was ever mounted. Suspect many cameos brought home as souvenirs stayed in a box & were not made into jewellery by the original owner.

Maybe. Could also be dealer's marks. I do not recognize it, even if it is the cutter's mark, highly unlikely you would ever be able to identify him.

The cameos themselves are very similar; don't think you would want to buy both. Only you can balance the appeal they have for you + value for price to make a decision.

 

Thanks! Yes, I wasn't planning on getting them both. I am just looking around. It's a new world to me haha. Probably gonna try and collect a few different goddesses along the way though I really do like the Ceres one that I posted above. And I can't wait for my Athena that's already on the way!

 

Hope this okay to post here - @Bronwen, would this be made from glass? The seller thinks it is glass, I've never come across a blue cameo before. Stamp for 18K gold, I can't figure out the other marks and the seller can't either. What age do you think this would be? I kind of like the blue

 

This is a contemporary cameo, ultrasonically cut in banded chalcedony that has been dyed to that color. The marks are for a Neapolitan maker of the setting.

 

Part of the purpose of the thread is to answer questions like this.

 

thank-you Bronwen, great information

thanks Bronwen

 

My Athena came in today