Featured Hint was taken - Cameo

I took the suggestions and advice and was a little more selective when browsing for a cameo.

Here is what I ended up with as a first-time purchase.

It’s marked OB Sterling, no cracks from where I can see, older style pin & clasp. Can anyone tell me if this is shell? I think it is.

 

nice !
looks like shell...
they say the ski jump nose is a newer variety......
@Bronwen

 

Looks like the pin hardware was replaced,something odd with the rectangle above the hinge... previous hardware???

 

chiefly speaking.............. ENJOY IT !!!

 

Possibly? I hadn’t seen it from the online pictures but once I cleaned it up a bit I noticed those little grooves in the setting also on the bottom half. What type of setting could have left four little marks?

 

No idea,I could only see the 2 top marks,is there another rectangle?

 

See if the prongs line up with the rectangles on the back


Nice cameo.

 

It is sweet, B.

I think they do. The prongs could have broken off at some stage and put back on? Older jewellery has always had a life.

I don't know if this qualifies as a ski jump nose. It looks rather civilised, and has a high bridge like many classical noses. Those modern ones have so much of a ski jump it looks like the nostrils are likely to wonder off and set up on their own.
But I am by no means an expert on ski jump noses.

 

Helmet shell. I don't think it was ever in a different setting, & does not look repaired, but INH may be right that the brooch was made by Ostby Barton, although seems uncharacteristically plain for their work. Style is 1930s.

 

The prongs do line up.


I thought it was a little odd if it’s Ostby Barton for the frame to be devoid of filigree. The examples of O.B. I’ve seen all seem to have a good amount of some type of the design.

I don’t see anything else around the frame.

 

Very nice purchase, @BMRT -- Soon you may have a collection.

 

looks like the mark says JB Sterling to me.

 

I think what you see as a J is really just a partially impressed 0.

Those four marks on the back do make it look like a larger surround to the setting has been removed/broken off.

A cute first foray into cameo collecting!

 

Hmmm, several OB cameos on eBoo also has those four marks on the back:

 

Looks like the setting was die stamped and the 4 rectangles stamped out and the prongs soldered into the setting.

 

The stamp is consistent when compared to the brooch I have by Ostby Barton. I think it’s still surprising the setting isn’t more elaborate.