Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

There were commissioned as a personalized souvenir of a trip to Rome. Whether he wanted her to wear his portrait, or it was her idea... The first one I showed requires quite an ample bosom to display properly.

There are far more cameo portraits of men than of women, not just famous men vs famous women, ordinary civilians as well. I assume this is because women would wear cameos of their husband, or their mother, as jewellery, while a man might have a portrait of his wife or mother cased for travel, but not to anything like the same extent.

I should add, there were photography studios not far from the cameo workshops, so you only had to sit for the photographer, not the cameist.

 

Thank you , o' wise one !!

 

Thanks, I am happy with the way it came out. The ring has a nice heft. My daughter is a Sagittarius.

 

Yes, the white band seems to be Siotto's hallmark. The one I have is the most lavishly framed of all the cameos I own. The first Siotto you posted is beautiful. The gent's beard is so luxurious.

 

Siotto does beauuutiful hair. What a great likeness. That frame is ridiculously pretty as well.

Your daughter is very lucky to be gifted a ring like that. It's so unique and well made. The jeweler did an amazing job.

 

IDK that's a very nice mount on the first one! He does exquisite faces, but I swear the hair was his favorite part. He clearly lavished a lot of time on that detail.

 

I always wanted this type of cut-out cameo. Is there a name for this type? I saw one other one on Etsy this kind. Found at an antique show yesterday, she is a brooch/pendant combo, findings 14k. Any thoughts as to age? Thanks.

 

Early 20th century imo. I like how they were able to retain her lyre since it's on her shoulder. I also love to see the history in jewelry in how we "fix" things to keep wearing them. I shows it was loved.

 

Liberated? Salvaged? I have never encountered a formal, widely accepted term. There are a few things in the cameo world I wish I had language for.

She's lovely, the Muse Erato. Agree with Mirana that the type of clasp says earlier 20th century for when these findings were fitted. The original cameo would of course be older, late 19th.

I'm with Mirana in having an affection for pieces that have been saved from the bottom of the jewellery box & made wearable again. This is a favorite from my collection:

 

This guy too:



His edges were not smoothed. The back is almost totally covered over in silver to prevent further damage. He's a real man's piece now, if he wasn't before.

 

What a great setting for that gorgeous saved cameo!

 

I rescued her at a local flea market in October, $3. I'd like to find someone who does wire wrapping to set her in a pendant. I am guessing 1920s-1930s?

 

Yes, you can see how she's a development from your Erato. The corsage on the shoulder is very 20s/30s. The hat is flapper-ish, but it takes time for cameos to catch up with the latest fashion, so probably 30s.

She needs her neck washed.

Sorry, I seldom recognize 20th century acid etched signatures.

 

You should have seen her before I cleaned her....some of the dirt is being difficult....

 

I like salvaged ones, too. Here are two of mine. The dude is Menelaus. Both are beautifully carved. I used to wear Menelaus to work all the time.

 

Could you please show the back side of this handsome man?

 

She is terrific! Glad she was saved.

 

I love this one. They didn't just mask the damage, they really put effort into making the additions beautiful. She turns out better imo than she was when whole.

Ah I love the big feather and the hat! $3 was a steal. I don't have one of the bob hairstyle cameos yet but I think they're really cute.

Loooove the detail on his helm and his thick curls!

 

Don't think I have one on file. Will have to take a few snaps when the sun is back again.

 

Beautiful carving!