Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

Never thought about it & have no learning or experience to base a guess on. I can tell you some are more common in the marketplace than others. Everywhere you look you run into 'headband girl' or 'ponytail girl'.



These 2 designs must be out there in their millions. They were/have been in production for a long time. My gut impression is that they are still being produced.

 

I've seen the Psyche (in the beaded frame here) listed as bakelite in 2 different cameo books. Of course, we know those books can be wrong! She's maybe even made from different materials at different times.

Can't answer that, but if ebay/etsy/etc are any indication the Venus one was produced in a high number and the Psyche pieces were made in massive quantity. The more modern the piece, the lower the production cost as well, I imagine.

Not sure... She's carrying an amphora I think? Iris??

Yes. I think if you've scrolled long enough you can spot most, but I've still found a few glass/resin that didn't survive in big quanity and can be confusing. The one in the middle of my picture could be trouble if you missed the popped bubbles from her forming, and/or is in a dubious photo.

This one is really light and has a little bump from breaking from the mold on the bottom. Feels like plastic. Plus the couple of book references saying bakelite led me down that path. I don't collect bakelite though so glass is fine with me.

 

This is a salesman's sample case from 1918:

 

Nice! Excellent reference.

 

I have met some cameos that are Celluloid or similar, but never one I thought was Bakelite, despite some described that way turning up here & there. I have also encountered a fair number of erroneous statements about cameos that have made it into print.

 

I tried enlarging her & got the impression she might be wearing the 'mural' crown of Fortuna/Tyche. Having another element that brings to mind peace & abundance would be consistent. But my eyes often fool me.

This is what the photo editor sees:

 

Thanks for taking a closer look! She's so tiny and removed from her origins I didn't think much on who she might be. I just assumed she'd be generic!

 

Many cameo collectors have a problem with new cameos. I found out my wife doesn't like them very much. Which sucks, because I've bought her quite a few. As long as they are handcarved, and nice, I would think that's what matters. Apparently not.

Anyway, I've always wanted to get her a Medusa. Nice ones are extraordinarily expense. When I saw this new one, I got it. It's uniquely grotesque. I've personally never seen one like it.

These are two that have modern facial features. But, are very nicely carved.

This is an old one I noticed as I took the other pictures. The butterfly type wings are cool.

 

Perhaps you mean Medusa? Those are definitely expensive because she is popular. I think many women relate to the story of her being unjustly persecuted and murdered, and so prefer depictions of her being a woman and not a grotesque monster.

I would collect any cameo I thought to be beautiful or interesting, but I find most modern style carvings don't appeal to me. The older carvings definitely follow ancient Roman sculpture style and I love the look of those. I have seen a few contemporary pieces that I like the style of, but of course they are understandably expensive.

 

Wow, I can't believe I got the name wrong. Yes, of course I meant Medusa. Not Tyler Perry's alter ego, which I still would have misspelt. But, I'm an idiot like that. I did edit my post to correct it. THANK YOU! Medea, Medusa, I'm a schluba.

I've never heard of any retelling of Medusa's story. I didn't know they had modern updates to greek mythology. But, along with everything else, there's always something.

I agree. If it's nicely done, old or new, it deserves a good home.

 

@Snowman Cometh

MEDUSA PSYCHE

I like the Medusa, even though I 'm generally not attracted to modern work. Hey, as I said to a friend who used to not buy anything much after the Renaissance, neoclassical at the latest, somebody has to appreciate enough to acquire new work so that in 200 years people will have something to collect. You are gathering the antiques of tomorrow.

I do have one new cameo, purchased because it was such a nice version of Phaeton. I insisted the cutter, Aniello Pernice, sign it so there will never be a mistake about its age.

This is the sort of thing that is jarring. There is no reason for Ammon-Zeus to be in a jugate composition with Artemis/Diana.



These are not based on some modern retelling of a myth; they are just the scrambling of classical imagery, which is what makes them unappealing to me.

But good work is good work. Always go for quality of carving when you can.

 

I would love to see these 2 in their entirety.

 

The original myths were retold by many so there are different versions within ancient times. And of course there's Hesiod and later Ovid, who wrote their versions down. Medusa was persecuted and unjustly murdered (while pregnant) in all of those versions. Gods and Heroes were always doing as they pleased in mythology.

 

She gives 'birth' to Pegasus & Chrysaor, who emerge from her neck after Perseus lops off her head.

 

None of these characters had an easy time birthing!

 

Hello! Hoping you can help me with some information on this cameo. I spotted it as something more interesting in a mixed lot that I got from an auction house (mostly basic costume jewelry and junk drawer stuff!).

It is testing as 14K which was a nice surprise. I didn't realise that it had marks on it until I looked at it several times under a loupe, they are amazingly tiny. Can you help me identify the marks? They are honestly the best I'm going to get being so small. Unfortunately there is some damage to the child on the cameo. Is it just a generic scene depicted? Is it queen conch? I know very little about cameos so I appreciate any info. Thank you!

 

I see what looks like a messy 585 mark on the pin stem, aka 14k.

 

Funny, I thought French and now that I look again, is that a French eagle mark? I thought it was an angel

 

Could well be. I've been fooled before, but it wouldn't surprise me.