Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

Yes! That’s the letter. I knew I had seen it and apologies for not recognising it. I will try Weiss as a search term. Thankyou

 

Weiss costume jewelry will lead to a lot of American pieces; they were a seller of tons of rhinestone jewelry. They didn't actually make any, just had their name put on it. The German stuff might get lost under the deluge.

 

So Weiss aren’t German, they are US founded?

 

There seems to be more than one Weiss company that made jewelry.

 

Weiss had factories in Germany so it’s a possibility?
Or have I swerved way off course

 

I'll let you guys thrash out the Weiss business details. I would just remark that with the name spelled in the German manner, if not made in Germany, probably meant for the German-language market.

The material looks too bumpy for Celluloid, but some other early plastic. These can be very collectable. The cameo is modeled on the Apollo Belvedere:

 

The Weiss I'm familiar with was a badger - didn't have a factory and contracted everything out. I think the manufacturers were all in New York and Rhode Island. There is another company operating now that's using the name. The Weiss in Germany is a faux ami, to use a phrase I picked up in French class millenia ago.

https://www.collectorsweekly.com/costume-jewelry/weiss

 

Long day, that took me WAY too long.

Thanks @Bronwen for the ID and the info

 

I like him far better than the other kind. He eats bugs. And he's fuzzy.

 

Just for interest, this shell cameo came up in U.K. Antiques Roadshow last weekend. Diana and Actaeon. It was mentioned it was a big one set in granite or slate sorry I can’t remember which or show the scale. Cost the man £10 from a U.K. Charity shop about 7 months ago, expert valuation now £3-4k.

 

What a find! It is beautiful. That was one lucky man.

 

@Bronwen Another gentleman for your board. It is currently up for auction 2/18 in Paris.

 

Another cameo by Charles Schmoll was auctioned today. It, along with a poorly cut shell cameo ring achieved $385 final bid, including premium on the-saleroom.com.

 

Here is a cameo that I purchased recently. I bought it because it was signed on the front "Neri" and on the reverse "Cam". Provenance: private collection of the Duke of Liverpool. First pic is before cleaning. The cameo is quite scratched. The Neri signature is above the right shoulder. I think this is the Neri Workshop, not Paolo or Luigi Neri. On the back it is inscribed Cam and No.2, very lightly. The cameo can be worn as a brooch or by removing the pin and pin stem, worn as a necklace without fear of getting stuck.

I thought this might be a depiction of one of the Dukes of Cambridge. After doing a bit of reserach, I have found a sculpture of Prince Adolphus Frederick, First Duke of Cambridge (1774-1850) as well as engravings. I would like your thoughts about whether the cameo is the Duke of Cambridge or if I am indulging in wishful thinking. Thanks!



Here is the sculpture (by Wm Behnes, 1830) and an engraving of Prince Adolphus (by Beechey, 1808).

 

Killer sideburns!

 

The dude in the cameo has the beard to go with them. No idea when that was popular in the UK.

 

Oops! The cameo guy doesn't have a beard, but an under chin wattle. There is also some shell discoloration that makes him look like he has mutton chops, but in fact his sideburns stop at the bottom of his ears.

 

@Bronwen
Could I bother you for your opinion?
I saw this cameo at an antique mall yesterday.
Possibly never set, as it has a small paper sticker on the back with an inventory number.
The face is hand carved stone, but appears to be bonded with a center rivet to the black background stone.
I was thinking that I could make a sterling pendant frame for it, as I do silversmithing.
Do you think it is worth having, seeing as how it is a composite piece?

 

Hi all,
This is a cameo set in 800 goldwashed silver. It has some crazing, but the carving was so beautiful, it was love at first sight. I like to think of her as Persephone joyously welcoming spring, especially since it is March. Can you tell me approximate age, and who the cameo represents? Should I mineral oil her? Thanks.

 

I never put oil on any of mine, although do wash the grunge off, if there is any.

It is beautiful!