Clearing house... lots of jewellery :-/

Not much more to say about the first cameo except that the clasp looks normal, so my comments before were not relevant (saying that it looked odd). It still appears to be 20th century.

The second one is much more finely carved and I agree with all of the other comments about it, except I really don't know who it is. All I can tell is that he is wearing a military uniform.

And I am also sorry about your father, and hope that the best possible outcomes occur for all of you.

 

Agreed on the Bohemian garnets.

Again, sympathy on the father situation, been there, done that. Without being nosy, make sure you're claiming everything you're entitled to, especially Attaendance Allowance.

 

Thanks everyone... we've had another tiring day, clearing the kitchen this time. I never realised such a small room could hold so much! Your best wishes are appreciated. Ownedbybear, dad's just been awarded attendance allowance thanks, which will help a lot. The paperwork took a lot of filling out.

Back to the cameos. The 'three graces' one is much more rustic than the ones that come up on google (thanks Ladybranch, for giving it a name). On very close inspection, the 'pearls' are actually tiny beads strung together.

The larger cameo intrigues me and I can definitely see the likeness to Gen R E Lee . I wonder if the uniform can be identified? I also came across some portraits of Guiseppe Garibaldi, and see a likeness there too: http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail...aribaldi-19th-century-stock-graphic/153414437
What do you think?

Regarding the first (red) brooch, I'd love it to be bohemian garnets... I'll definitely get that checked out. The brooch has a lovely sparkle to it.

I have a few more pieces but will leave those for another day. Feet up now. Have a good evening everyone.

 

The "pearl" beads on the cameo look like what's called "glass pearls." On older ones, the coating over the glass is actually made of fish scales. When they're new, they look a lot like real pearls, but over time the coating wears off, as is evident in your cameo.

I'm also sorry about your father, and hope he adjusts easily to his new home.

 

>The larger cameo intrigues me and I can definitely see the likeness to Gen R E Lee . I wonder if the uniform can be identified? I also came across some portraits of Guiseppe Garibaldi, and see a likeness there too: http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail...aribaldi-19th-century-stock-graphic/153414437
What do you think?<

I agree, he certainly looks like Garibaldi. I could find no cameos of Gen. R.E.L., but did find a couple of Garilbdi. True to form, none of them were of him in a uniform. They were of him in his iconic red shirt and scarf - the first 2.
http://www.antiquecameos.net/garibaldi.htm

In the "Search" box, top left, put in
BEN-F-005473-0000
Try to click the hypolinked letter "i" below the thumbnail for a full page of info. Clicking in the middle of the thumbnail only brings up a shorten page of info:
http://www.alinariarchives.it/en/search

The seller says this is Garibaldi, but I have my doubts:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/399898-3008/Antique-Victorian-Italian-Lava-Cameo-Garibaldi

I also am sorry for what you are going through. It is a sad time.

--- Susan