Featured Persephone cameo? Please help!

Good evening,
New purchase, possibly Persephone cameo set in sterling silver.
The stone used is heavy, and I ruled out Whitby Jet. Could it be onyx or is it glass?
I can see the carving is glued, but am not sure about what the carving is made of, it looks like stone to my eye.
I would like to ask your thoughts on the depiction, age and the stone, as I am still learning, this is only a presumption.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Simona
@Bronwen @PepperAnna @Any Jewelry @kyratango

 

The nymph Arethusa, who is closely connected with Persephone.

 

If it's assembled of 2 pieces, think glass is most likely. Have never seen such a piece where both parts were stone.

 

Thank you so much, there is a small chip down, will take a photo in the morning if that helps to get a better idea.
Is there any test I could do for glass, would it be see through?
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Simona

 

I see open bubbles on the back, thus glass
Victorian era, around 1880.

 

Thank you for your reply. I wonder how can one identify which is which? Is there a difference or a tell tell between the depiction of Nymph Arethusa and Persephone?
Thank you.

 

Definitely glass. You can see the popped bubbles in the front as well. These aren't always see-though. Some were made of glass pastes so they'll look more like a ceramic. The tell are the little popped bubbles, or grains of the paste you can sometimes see in close-ups. Also, pieces that don't have under-cutting and/or are glued are usually molded.

I have a couple glass paste Ceres, one of a similar time period as this one. This type don't come up as often and they have better molds than most. I think they're really lovely.

 

Thank you so much, after posting it, I had the curiosity to put a strong light under it, and yes, there is a dark red glass base, with a bubble inside, please see photos. I will have a look again to see the popped bubbles, are you referring to the small holes at the back?
The top, the cameo, feels of a different material and it is opaque, no light travels through, like you’ve mentioned, feels like ceramic. There is a small chip, please see photo. I have no idea how chipped glass should look like, comments on opinions are welcomed.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Simona

 

It's not always possible to be certain. We have images of assorted nymphs from the coinage of ancient Magna Graeca, particularly Syracuse. The ID of Arethusa is most definite when she is ringed with dolphins, as on this tetradrachm:



Persephone tends to wear less in the way of jewellery. She may have bi- rather than tripartite earrings. She is most clearly recognized in her role of Kore (daughter, maiden) Soteira (saviour). She had various looks on coins:

https://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?results=100&search=soteira

 

There look to be small divots (popped bubbles) on her chin and cheek.

This is one I have that's a glass paste, with a Tassie paste for comparison. It's completely opaque and fairly heavy.

 

If you follow Mirana's link to the show & tell thread, then scroll down to my post below hers, you will see a photo of chipped glass.

 

Thank you so much, really appreciate your advise.