Cameos

Cameo is a type of carving which produces a raised or relief image.The technique is used on various objects including plaques, vessels, and jewelry, our focus. The most appealing and popular cameos show the relief in one color and the background in a contrasting color. The two-color effect is achieved by carefully carving the stone until the second color is revealed.

Materials chosen for carving range from semi-precious stones to glass and shell. Semi-precious stones  including agate, onyx, sardonyx and carnelian are ideal as they present a wonderful second color when carved. Cameos made with these semi-precious stones are referred to as hardstone cameos.

Shell cameos, made as early as the 15th and 16th centuries, were usually made from mussel and cowry shells. As European explorers discovered new lands, they brought conch shells back to Europe and by the 18th century, most shell cameos were made from conch. Interestingly, conch fades over time which is why some 18th century cameos lack definition between the relief and the background.

Numerous other materials are also used in carving cameos. Coral, bog oak, lava, ivory, mother-of-pearl, jasperware, and even plastic cameos can be found. Some modern cameos are produced by affixing a carved relief element onto a flat contrasting material. These are called assembled cameos.

One of the most collectible and hard-to-find types of cameo are cameo habille which came into fashion around 1840. This is a cameo of a woman's portrait in which she is wearing real gemstone jewelry. 

There are many subjects shown in cameos but the most commonly seen are mythological scenes or figures, classical motifs, and the portrait of a woman who has come to be called The Anonymous Woman. And here's the gallery.

SHELL CAMEOS

Medusa with Snakes, 18k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Ariel Riding the Bat, Gold Filled
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Classical Motif, 18k Gold and Enamel, French
From the Collection of Robin Allison

14k Gold with Multiple Layers
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Anonymous Woman, Multiple Layers, Gold Filled
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Nude with Cherubs, 18k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Raphael's Madonna, 14k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

From the Personal Collection of Kim DeWitt Paff

Thorvaldsen's Night Pearl, 14k Gold Festoon
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Angel, Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Good Luck, 14k Gold

Sterling Silver, Italy

Anonymous Woman, Gold Buckle Frame
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Cupid, 18k Gold
 From the Collection of Robin Allison

Day and Night, 14k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Minerva, 9k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

18K Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

14k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

800 Silver

800 Silver

By Ronci

Gold Filled

   
   
   
A Collection of Anonymous Women

Couple Shell Cameo, 14k Gold
From the Collection of Cat Thompson

From the Collection of Deborah Kosnett

From the Collection of Deborah Kosnett

From the Collection of Deborah Kosnett

From the Collection of Deborah Kosnett

From the Collection of Deborah Kosnett

CAMEO HABILLE

From the Collection of Deborah Kosnett

From the Collection of Deborah Kosnett

From the Collection of Deborah Kosnett

Unmounted Ring-Size Cameo
From the Collection of Cat Thompson

14k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

HARDSTONE CAMEOS

Onyx with Platinum and Diamonds
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Etruscan Revival, 14k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Amethyst, Pearls, 14k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Cherub, 14k, Diamonds, Pearls
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Athena, 14k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

18k Gold, Diamonds, Pearls"
From the Collection of Robin Allison

9K Gold

From the Collection of Cat Thompson

Hardstone Cameo with Enamel and Stones

Tiger's Eye

CORAL CAMEOS

Psyche, 14k Gold
From the Collection of Robin Allison

10k Gold

Gold Filled Bookchain

Gold Filled Slide

LAVA CAMEOS

Eros and Lion, Sapphires, Rubies, Pearls
From the Collection of Robin Allison

Medusa
From the Collection of Robin Allison

   

Lava Cameo Bracelets
From the Personal Collection of Kim DeWitt Paff

PLASTIC CAMEOS

GLASS CAMEOS

Czech Assembled Cameo

Czech

Mosaic Frame, Italy

Dyed and Assembled

JASPERWARE CAMEOS

The Three Graces, Wedgwood

From the Collection of Cat Thompson

Wedgwood

I hope you enjoyed the photos. To see what's available for sale at my site, visit World of Eccentricity & Charm or click here.

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