Just another vintage cameo....

yes I know these are two cheap vintage cameo pieces but being that I do not have access to nor can afford a nice authentic shell cameo I am forced to settle for mediocre pieces at best. Still I have questions...I read up on the celebrity ny cameo briefly...but I have never seen a cameo in a setting like the second cameo with the rhinestones. I don’t see any markings either. Anyone know anything about either one?? Also is it just me or does that mourning cameo not fit the setting? worth anything? Prob no more than $40 I’m guessing

 

Hi Ashley, The cameos are both glass. The second I know to be Czech; it is quite likely the first is also. This does not mean the brooches were assembled in Czechoslovakia. The cameos were exported widely for use as elements in costume jewellery made all over. Edgar Berebi used the lady with her birds & gave her a fanciful name:



Yours are both black; I would not characterize either of them as mourning jewellery, so not sure which one you mean. But the second has the pin running left to right when the lady is right side up, suggesting she is not the original occupant of the setting. If you are right handed, as most women are, you will realize that having to use your left hand to pin on a brooch is an awkward business. Guessing the clasp is in the locked position when the hasp is rolled up rather than down? Looks as though each of the rhinestone clusters is missing at least one stone.

I doubt you could get much at all for either one, although you really never know. But either would look great on a winter coat.

 

I like both of them... I have seen the woman in the second one many times before. Wasn't familiar with the first one. Thanks for the information, Bronwen!

 

I think I should be quite easy to flip the cameo on the second one so it closes more comfortably

 

It's an odd design. Pinned on with the base of the triangle down, it is going to rock forward, so the apex sticks out & cameo might then be hard to see. If it were put onto a coat or hat, this could be done when facing the article, & pin is then inserted right to left. That, or get a lady's maid.

 

Thanks! This is my favorite forum! So much information!

 

What about this one? This is a picture my friend sent me of one I liked but I can’t tell what it says on the back right side and he is blind lol he told me it’s too small. Is it junk? I can’t find this silouhette online. Been looking. Anyone??

 

Yes the first one is Celebrity NY

 

Known as Ponytail Girl to her friends, she does turn up carved in shell, but most are resin, like the one in the photo from your blind friend.

 

It’s not the same one tho

 

I thought it was her also but it’s not the same girl....any idea what the stamp on
The back is?

 

Nevermind I found it. It’s garbage made of plastic. It’s a Gerry’s cameo...no
Thanks. No plastic jewelry for me. One day I’ll own a beautiful cameo. For now this single mom has to settle for mediocre ☹️

 

What about this one??? Guy only wants $8 so I’m prob gonna but it either way...prob not worth much tho...

 

Unfortunately this puts the pin stem at the bottom, like you said

 

This one appears to be shell, 1950s/60s. For $8, how wrong can you go? It's the sort I think of as a starter cameo, the kind you buy before you realize you're collecting.

 

No, a different mold. Just wanted to show that the type is out there in multitudes. Resin cameos mimicking helmet shell in color are getting frighteningly good. Here is Ponytail Girl in actual shell:

 

I want a nice cameo some are just so beautiful. I’m a single unemployed mom to a one year old . I def can’t afford one....maybe in the future

 

Can you send me the link you found that in?

 

That is your pin, I used PhotoShop to turn the cameo around