Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

He looks rather crammed in there & has broken along the left edge. Think he has been filed down to size & glued in. Probably was quite an expensive cameo when new. Guessing home salvage job, not something the cutter did.

 

Those feet!!!

 

Are you sure she's not an incompletely transformed mermaid?

 

Maybe she's wearing clogs? Someone lugged that home from Naples.

 

They look like chicken leg bones!
And her torso appears to bifurcate at her waist...

 

Is that Talk to the Hand, the clown?

 

International sign for No Bozos, a reaction to the forked woman wearing clogs. Honestly, how do these things survive?

 

Here are a few additions I’ve been putting off photographing and sharing due to work.

Only mark on this one is 800. Silver, newer (1900s) looking clasp in the back.

This one was a gift, lower grade rose gold and old style “c” clasp.

This one I loved for the blush on the back of the shell. I wish the rosey color was more pronounced around the carving. I think this is conch? No idea for the metal type I haven’t gotten to cleaning and testing this one.

This one was sold as gilt, back is older “c” style clasp and a safety chain.

This one I was gifted and is my favorite of the recents. I have no idea what she’s made of. Unfortunately the back was completely destroyed. I want to get her redone that she be wearable again.

This was a gift, she needs a clasp replacement. Pin is intact. Unusually spotted shell. I washed it thinking dirt but definitely not dirt.

This one set in 9k rose gold, another “c” style clasp. This is the listing picture since the one I took to upload came out like I photographed it with a potato.

And finally another pretty lady, also a gift from a relative. I have two spots left in my cameo case on the wall. I have no idea how it’s already full. Maybe “Santa” will bring another one?​

 

She is indeed conch shell. The distribution of pink is highly variable. I have 1 in a ring that is almost totally white.

She appears to be Vulcanite or similar. Mass produced, but I don't remember seeing this particular one before. Sort of a Mater Dolorosa type. Very pretty. Hope you can get her back to wearable. Should be easier than a cameo of shell set in metal since findings can be attached directly into the material.

Definitely not right either. Did washing change the appearance at all? She looks pitted with grime in the pockets, unless they are so deep the brown is showing through? Helmet shell does not grow like that naturally.

 

The pitted shell looks like it could have had a visit from Cliona celata.

 

For those who celebrate...
Have a Merry Cameo Christmas!

 

Yeah, after it was carved. Should be reported for cameo abuse.

 

No, it changed nothing in the appearance. I’m thinking of letting it sit in a soapy bath and seeing what happens. When I clean them I do a quick job under running water with a soft toothbrush and soap usually but the impact was nothing on this cameo.

 

@BMRT , I have one similar to the second one you posted above. I've been curious about it for a long time. It's very different from any other I've seen. If I remember when I get back home next week I'll try to get a picture.

@Bronwen , have you seen one carved like that before?

 

Yes, often insufficient. She'll be fine with a bubble bath overnight. I've had pieces I've soaked, brushed, soaked...through several rounds to get out the most deeply embedded grunge. Try a dab of toothpaste the next time you employ the toothbrush.

Are we talking this one?


She's sort of the Ponytail Girl of her generation.

 

I've always thought of these cameos as "The Flat People". Some are very nice, but some... not so much.
(Can't find my favorite one at the moment.)



There are also Flat Places:

 

Yes, that's the one, @Bronwen . The Ponytail Girl of her generation... and what time period was that?

The Flat People. I like that, @bluumz !

 

That's a good characterization of them. One of the things that distinguishes superior work is that it does capture the curve of a cheek, the hollow of a throat.

Those are often cowrie shell & tend not to be so flat.

Later 19th.

 

When I mentally refer to cameos as "Flat People" or "Flat Places", I'm not thinking of the natural curvature of the shell (if that's what you mean?). I think of them as having a "flat" carving style with very little, if any, rounded relief.