Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

It appeared the 'Mrs. Skerritt' (Nancy) had a hardstone piece when Victoria only had shell. The shots that show cameos usually flash by so fast, I'm rarely fast enough to jump up & get a good look.

 

OTOH the Queen would have worn glass and brass if Albert gave it to her.(LOL) Not that he would have - dude had some taste.

 

As I said, I rarely get a good look at the cameos, but I think there was one she wore in a number of scenes, on different dresses, that had a scene of a seated woman in 18th century dress with a gentleman paying court. Later I thought I saw it on that half sister of hers.

 

This is another favorite bit from the same listing:

On the needle twice with slightly devious, probably Italian mark of fineness "585"

 

"trailer hitch" was both hysterical and what gave it away.

 

There are so many cameos in this show and I really wasn't paying attention to any of them at all.

And then, there she was, in a close-up at a very serious moment... it was a production getting the picture to share and Mr. Jivvy, who knows I now play cameo games, was, "is this a very special cameo?"

As I finally snapped the shot, I smirked-chuckled, "oh yes, very special."

 

Vide grenier today, working lamp. 3euros.

 

Lit up.

 

WOW!!! 3€!!!

 

It is not the greatest cameo, but how could I leave it behind for 3 euros.

 

Look at the old fasioned plug and cable. In good condition, but I would'nt trust it.

 

Niiiiiice. Earlier 20th century, Naples. I've seen lots of these whole helmet shell lamps over time & own a few of the 'shades' without having the complete lamp set up, & can say this is one of the prettiest I have seen. You say it is not the greatest cameo. No, not one for serious collectors of 'important' gems, but very good for its type. After it went into decline as the Victorian era ran down, there was a flourishing again of Italian cameo cutting, greatly improved technically from what it had fallen to, but in what I think should be designated the nuovo stile italiano, in which art nouveau beauties became the model for the classical goddesses.

I'm not sure if the couple are meant to be Venus & Cupid or Cupid & Psyche, a bit more the latter than the former, I think. If you run a search in this thread for Bouguereau, should turn up some paintings that are the sort of thing that inspired this scene.

I'm fascinated by the feet of the lamp. While every cameo is different, there were a limited number of base designs. They often end in goats' feet. You have a scene of love above & a trio of these guys below:



At first glance the wings made me think Cupid, then I looked more closely.

The plug/wiring look in excellent condition & part of me so much wants to say, Oh, keep it in its original state. But know they always advise rewiring very old lamp, for safety. Phooey!

Really great find - congratulations! Will you keep?

 

There really are. New sport: cameo spotting. I felt it was a game they devised just for me. Good to have another player.

Was this Ponytail Girl? Their use of that one is really unforgivable.

@Marie Forjan Do you think the current 'Victoria' & the many movies that have been made about in the past few years has something to do with a revived interest in cameo among younger women?

 

Oh yes, definitely Ponytail Girl. She was on the screen multiple times and so very recognizable in nearly every shot.

I was appropriately appalled for all of us.

 

It's important to uphold cameo standards! Carry on.

 

Not sure. I do not actively look for cameos, but this was so cheap I had to buy. I was suprised when it lit up. Do you know, I had'nt looked at the metal feet. I shall have to look now. It will probably enter our hoard never to be seen again.

 

MMM, I don't know, but this summer while I am selling at shows and the flea I will certainly ask and young girl that looks at my cameos!

 

Here I am Cameo spotting on tonight’s U.K. Antiques Roadshow.
Psyche, 15k gold, Victorian, worth around £1500 at auction. Sorry about the pic quality, because it’s taken from the tv.
~

 

Lovely!

 

Wow! I love that lamp. That carving is gorgeous!!!!!