She’s here! (Shell cameo with Etruscan Revival mount)

[Joanne10]

She’s arrived safely, and she’s beautiful.

Vendor listing: https://www.etsy.com/listing/165118...how_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

I just love it when vendors’ photos are accurate. Makes shopping so much easier! Also, vendor was very responsive and quite accommodating. Also takes reasonable offers.

On to the cameo. She’s slightly smaller than expected. (Despite measurements being in the listing.) BUT. I’m 5 feet tall, so I don’t mind, aaand, that means the carving is much more fine than in the photos I’ve been sharing (which, in retrospect, I realise were more magnified than I thought.) So I’m very happy I trusted my gut. So the carving looks at least adequate to this happy puppy. I would NOT mind seeing a museum quality cameo in person though, just to compare. I love them.

Despite it being a cameo, the real star here is the mount. The gold threads that make the gold “halo” are so so fine. So lovely. (And also, the reason I love antiques. The craftsmanship is, I feel, quite different from today, par a very few exceptions. Please correct me if I’m wrong.)

Vendor reckons it’s 1860-1880 (from my research, that’s the height of Etruscan Revival, but I’d love to know more about that aesthetic movement.) Stracci (thank you again!) gave 1870-1900 as most likely period. Lightbright thought it might be even older. I wish I could have a precise date. I love history.

The shell part itself is quite jiggly. The whole right part is moving about, but without the risk of falling, just like advertised. I’m in Europe, so I’d love to know what substance to use to safely glue it back to the mount. @stracci2000 recommended something, but that’s not commercially available here.

Pictures!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Im so happy you got her
you two are going to have so much fun together

 

[Dreamer_D]

Stunning!

I would wear it as a pendant

 

[newtojewels]

I think it's such a unique cameo and the frame is incredible! I hope you can figure out the best way to secure the cameo if necessary. I agree with a pendant option which would look amazing!

 

[Joanne10]

Im so happy you got her
you two are going to have so much fun together

Thank you so much, kind lady! We sure will!

 

[Joanne10]

Stunning!

I would wear it as a pendant

Thank you! I love pendants! I wonder where I can find one of those brooch to pendant converters? I’ve first seen them here, but can’t really remember on what thread. I hope it will lie nicely with one of those! (I don’t really want to convert her, I want to keep her as unmodified as possible.)

 

[Joanne10]

I think it's such a unique cameo and the frame is incredible! I hope you can figure out the best way to secure the cameo if necessary. I agree with a pendant option which would look amazing!

Thank you so much! You’re too kind I hope I can secure it too, it’s so nice, it deserves to be safer than it is now. And of course, it’s frame, not mount! The word kept slipping my mind.

I didn’t think of wearing as a pendant before, but I’m more and more tempted now.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I’m sure there are many options for slipping the pin though some contraption with a bail on Etsy or Amazon!

 

[newtojewels]

I’m sure there are many options for slipping the pin though some contraption with a bail on Etsy or Amazon!

Yes, there are a ton! I've been looking because of my recent brooch purchase.

Rio Grande has gold-filled ones in three widths. I haven't purchased any from them myself, but there are reasonable reviews and I would think you would want the richest gold color you can find for your lovely brooch! https://www.riogrande.com/product/1420-yellow-gold-filled-brooch-converters/637251GP/?code=637251

 

[Catmom]

It's so gorgeous! I'm so glad you went ahead and bought her. I love the frame and the fact that she is front facing.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

now we need her out and about going on adventures with her new mistress

 

[Joanne10]

My photography skills aren’t that great, but I’ve played around with the lighting in the garden. She’s a good subject for it.

 

[stracci2000]

It's really lovely!
I'm glad she's being adored as she deserves!
Those little flower-like elements on the frame are called cannetilles. So delicate!

About the glue, just look for a basic white craft glue. Something that dries clear and is water based. This way it can be removed later, if necessary.
Just a drop, one on each side, applied on the back should do it.

 

[Joanne10]

I love those cannetilles, yes! They are wonderful.

Regarding the glue: I’ll try with something I already have, that I think is water-based. I’ll check before I use it. Thank you!

 

[Joanne10]

So much for Ban Island… I bought her a friend. I’ll post pictures after he arrives.

 

[Joanne10]

Update: after a month and 2 days in customs, and 6-ish weeks after I ordered, Homer has arrived. Pictures now, more detailed impressions later. View attachment 989944

 

[Joanne10]

Back with details. Again, vendor photos match reality - that’s always nice. I need to have both cameos tested for gold content (you know what they say - trust, but verify). Would/could 18k gold tarnish? Approximate age is Victorian for this piece.

The carving is very fine; so fine actually, that most of the time I can’t see some of the details without magnification. There is some wear on the left side and at the cap, but that was visible in photos and knew it was going to be there. I think it needs to be cleaned, but I haven’t cleaned any cameos before now, so I plan to use an extra soft baby toothbrush and be extra careful. There is also a locket on the back that unfortunately doesn’t seem to open. I would have liked to put a photo in there.

It’s lovely and I’m glad I bought it. The frame is just marvellous. Love it! All in all, this is a very nice piece, and if gold content checks out, definitely a keeper.

More photos:
Wrinkles on the forehead:


Beard and hair detail, looks nicer in real life:



Nice saddle shape:



Locket on the back, base metal pin (per vendor) and possible tarnish on the gold:



This one is for you, @Daisys and Diamonds. Action shot:

 

[Joanne10]

And the antique family, all together:
I really need to take the camera out one day

 

[LilAlex]

Based on this solar cell on the back, it can't be too old



No, it is completely amazing -- well-loved and wild!

 

[Joanne10]

I nearly had a mini-heart attack Good one, sir, good one. And thank you very much!

 

[Joanne10]

Based on this solar cell on the back, it can't be too old



No, it is completely amazing -- well-loved and wild!

Well, you were onto something with that comment. Just had it tested at the jeweller’s. It’s not 18k gold, it’s gilded brass. Despite the listing saying that it’s 18k gold, tested. Boo hoo. The first one checks out as 18k gold. Forgot to take the ring with me to check that one as well.

Edit: I wonder if it’s shell or plastic… afraid to do the hot needle test. I’m quite disappointed, frankly…

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Well, you were onto something with that comment. Just had it tested at the jeweller’s. It’s not 18k gold, it’s gilded brass. Despite the listing saying that it’s 18k gold, tested. Boo hoo. The first one checks out as 18k gold. Forgot to take the ring with me to check that one as well.

Edit: I wonder if it’s shell or plastic… afraid to do the hot needle test. I’m quite disappointed, frankly…

is it the chap who is brass ?

 

[Joanne10]

is it the chap who is brass ?

Yeah. A real shame. Wondering if he’s plastic, too. Looks just a teeny bit off to my eyes.

Edit: seller was very quick to respond. Does not admit they might be wrong, but sent me the return address and said they will issue a refund without issues. Hoping everything goes smoothly.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Fingers crossed! I was thinking that the texturing on the back seemed unusual for gold, and that the cameo was so perfect. Too bad cuz he’s a pretty old guy.

 

[Joanne10]

Fingers crossed! I was thinking that the texturing on the back seemed unusual for gold, and that the cameo was so perfect. Too bad cuz he’s a pretty old guy.

Thank you for the good thoughts! Yeah, it’s such a shame it didn’t turn out to be as advertised. It’s gorgeous.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Yeah. A real shame. Wondering if he’s plastic, too. Looks just a teeny bit off to my eyes.

Edit: seller was very quick to respond. Does not admit they might be wrong, but sent me the return address and said they will issue a refund without issues. Hoping everything goes smoothly.

its very sad
im sorry for your dissapointment
i hope the old boy finds a loving home on someone's coat, but that that person is not ripped off in the process
i really feel for you because it reminds me of my bakalite i brought as genuine cherry amber -she said it had been tested - well she never used a bowl of water

i have a vintage cameo that is plastic and set in brass - the difference being it cost $8 and i was under no illusion and i am very familar with the subject matter

i wonder if the clasp on the back was a warning sign with yours as this one has a very similar looking one

this is from etsy as mine has a detached frame but thats ok as i dont like brass and plan to have it replaced with stirrling - because of the subject matter -not trying to tart up plastic

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

She’s arrived safely, and she’s beautiful.

Vendor listing: https://www.etsy.com/listing/165118...how_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

I just love it when vendors’ photos are accurate. Makes shopping so much easier! Also, vendor was very responsive and quite accommodating. Also takes reasonable offers.

On to the cameo. She’s slightly smaller than expected. (Despite measurements being in the listing.) BUT. I’m 5 feet tall, so I don’t mind, aaand, that means the carving is much more fine than in the photos I’ve been sharing (which, in retrospect, I realise were more magnified than I thought.) So I’m very happy I trusted my gut. So the carving looks at least adequate to this happy puppy. I would NOT mind seeing a museum quality cameo in person though, just to compare. I love them.

Despite it being a cameo, the real star here is the mount. The gold threads that make the gold “halo” are so so fine. So lovely. (And also, the reason I love antiques. The craftsmanship is, I feel, quite different from today, par a very few exceptions. Please correct me if I’m wrong.)

Vendor reckons it’s 1860-1880 (from my research, that’s the height of Etruscan Revival, but I’d love to know more about that aesthetic movement.) Stracci (thank you again!) gave 1870-1900 as most likely period. Lightbright thought it might be even older. I wish I could have a precise date. I love history.

The shell part itself is quite jiggly. The whole right part is moving about, but without the risk of falling, just like advertised. I’m in Europe, so I’d love to know what substance to use to safely glue it back to the mount. @stracci2000 recommended something, but that’s not commercially available here.

Pictures!

we need to find her a new boyfriend