Featured Need some insight please....

Hello all.
This was my Grandmothers Cameo, she was from Scotland and it has been in the family over 100 years. I would appreciate any input into the age, origin and name of it. I have been told it is conch shell and I had it tested for gold content, it is 14 k. It is about 2 inch wide x 3.5 inch tall.
Are these things collectable at all? I live in western Canada and does not seem to interest anyone out here.
What would you think would be a good approach to selling it?
From what I have seen there are some good Jewellery folks on this forum.
Any help from anyone will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.

 

Very nice cameo, Packrat! If it's not too late, you'll get Bronwen in to look (the resident cameo maven) if you edit the title to include "Cameo."

 

It's a beautiful cameo!

 

@Bronwen It's definitely old, and made of shell. My first thought was a bacchante, i.e. a female follower of Bacchus/Dionysus. She looks like she has grape leaves in her hair. The market for cameos isn't what it used to be, but this is beautiful.

 

Beautiful!

 

yep, beautiful!

 

It is absolutely stunning.

 

I always advise people to check with other family members before selling off items that were from the family.
Your own children or grandchildren. Nieces or nephews, cousins.

I have run across many different family dynamics. There are some families who will sell items to each other. Then there are other families who pass items to family members who they know will treasure and enjoy an item.

 

as nice as any we've seen here recently.........
just cuz Albertans don't cotton to it....don't mean it has a low value !

 

Yes they are, and the rest of the world is interested.
This is a stunning piece, 19th century, and very good quality. Bronwen has already been tagged and will be able to tell you all about it.

 

Oh, my word That is gorgeous.

 

Wait a minute, Packrat, you already posted this, and Bronwen gave a beautiful answer:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/help-please-dating-and-origin.16595/#post-292045

But you can never have too much of a good thing, we enjoyed seeing it (again).

 

These are two different cameos!!!! And I LOVE this one......Much better of the two!!!!!!!

 

it's at the top of the thread.............same one....

I think PACKRAT must be very excited about this cameo !!

 

No their not....you're not looking at the top of the thread...

Yes...AJ.....it was posted before...!
good call !

 

& 90 years...has now turned into 100 years....

 

SO SORRY, MY BAAAAD.....when I clicked on the link.....the lower cameo is what appeared.....so I thought that was it!!!!

 

Geez. I thought that looked familiar last night, but it was too late for me to go looking. Thanks for bringing the other thread up, AJ.

 

I think the question that Packrat is asking, hasn't been answered on either thread.

That is:
How best to sell it?
Ebay was mentioned, but not everyone is comfortable with ebay.
I mentioned family.

Other suggestions?

 

I stand by my original answer. It is a lovely piece in a high quality setting, &, as far as I can assess, in excellent condition.

I agree with cluttered that it might be good to check around with other family if there is anyone for whom this beautiful cameo might have sentimental value. On the other hand, I sometimes point out, when asked about pricing a family heirloom, that the sentiment has monetary value only to you.

The cameo market is wonky at the moment, but is still holding for pieces like this. I'm always happier to see cameos stay in a family when there is anyone left to enjoy them; if the time has come to let this one move on, good luck!