Posted 4 years ago
valentino97
(724 items)
I posted this a few years ago, but because the pictures were blurry I deleted it. Pretty, 2-25"x 2" shell cameo with "Lamont" scratched on the back. There are no metal marks but it appears the seller swabbed the pin for metal content. The frame seems to be silver to me.
I would love to hear from Cameoslueth and Cameojan with any comments. It looks Victorian but I really don't know much about cameos! I don't think this is high grade but it could have been a fairly expensive tourist item from Italy.
Also, I know it is dirty and would appreciate comments on best way to clean and condition old shell. Thank you friends.
The subject matter is so unique Valentino... I love it!
Thank you Rick - I think Aurora and her chariot of horses was a common cameo motif, but the large size might be unique! There are some great images online :-)
Yeah Valentino, I didn't know that's a common motif. I have no idea how many I've seen while living in Naples, but I know that the vast majority were women. I guess my lack of knowledge in jewelry shows huh? Lol.
Naples??? That must have been a wonderful experience. In the Italian cameo world Aurora is common, but hey, I didn't know ANYTHING about cameos either until I had 3 and wanted to find out what they were! (I only know enough to get me in trouble. Lol.) My other 2 cameos are women's head profiles from the 1920's. I'll post those later. If you are interested, look at the cameo images online. Such amazing craftsmanship!
Thank you Thomas and BB2 for your fast loves!
Thanks Ken - I saw this online and decided to go for it. Only $20. I figured if it was celluloid, it was still worth $20. When I got it and realized it was a real shell cameo...well, then I had to do a little research. Of course it doesn't quite measure up to cameoslueth or cameojan collections of cameos....
OMG Pretty is an understatement! This is absolutely breathtaking!!! wow!!!
Thank you Share! It isn't something I would normally collect, but was interesting and the price was right. I agree - it's just breathtaking - I love it.
Wow! A beautiful piece!
I was thinking Iris with the floating scarf, but can't find one with horses cart...
Cameosleuth will know for sure :-))
Thanks for the vote of confidence, kyratango! Definitely a lovely, classic, helmet shell cameo of Aurora/Eos:
http://cameotimes.com/index.php/profiles-1/minor-gods/aurora-eos
Appears to be in excellent condition, with lovely spirited horses. Free-floating Auroras are not always distinguishable from Iris, or Spring, for that matter, but when in a biga (2-horse chariot), without the attributes of Nike, you can usually rely on the figure's being the Goddess of the Dawn.
If she will share her knowledge, I believe cameojan can tell you something about Lamont/Lamant.
Great bargain for $20. Celluloid probably would have cost you more! :)
Haha, Cameosleuth! I knew you'd knew ;-))))
I'd love it if CameoJan was willing to share her knowledge in comments....
Thank you Kyra - I am so happy to have it! I've become more interested in cameos after seeing some museum exhibits and then of course our expert friends' collections!
Thank you Cameosleuth - A hoof is missing on one of the horses...sad! But otherwise really nice and thank you for chiming in and giving me the link for more research. I appreciate your expertise!
Thanks friends for loving this cameo: Bijou, Phil, Hel1, Fort, Karen and Manikin!
Very pretty!
Valentino, I found another, same subject, in gold setting:
https://picclick.co.uk/Antique-Victorian-Cameo-Gold-Brooch-152572845257.html
Thank you Mrstyndall for your nice comment.
Thank you Kyra - this one is gorgeous! Obviously a very similar motif, and Victorian!
Thank you friends for loving Aurora: Martika, Caperkid, Alan,Ted, Aura, Vintagelamp, Mike, Sean!
Ohhhhhh. I want it!!!!!
Thank you PCC - I know.... isn't it fun when you find something unexpected!
Love also to you Gudrun!
I just have to comment again because I love this piece. You mentioned cleaning it and honestly I would not know what to really do about that. It actually looks perfect as it is! Also, now that I have the testers...I do know how to do that part without damaging! ;) Hopefully cameosleuth or cameojan may know how to clean. I had no idea there were actually so many different styles. I only knew a little something about the left or right facing cameos and the answers I've seen were very vague as to why the left facing one is more valuable. I love this and think it is absolutely stunning!!!
P.S. I wouldn't even worry about the missing hoove. It just makes it more interesting.
Most cameos can be cleaned quite safely. Lava & coral are exceptions as both are likely to have been dyed. There is absolutely no reason not to let shell or stone get wet, as long as there is no risk to the setting, which there usually is not.
Almost every cameo that comes into my hands gets a long soak in tepid water with a dab of dishwashing liquid. (Do not use laundry detergent or any harsh chemical cleaner. And never, ever, vinegar.) Most shell pieces are in need of hydration, so that's an additional benefit. Once the grime has had time to loosen, I give the piece a vigorous going over with a child's soft toothbrush. Especially soiled pieces may have to go through this several times. In some cases I use toothpaste, either as the sole method of cleaning or in conjunction with soaking to help remove stubborn grunge. (Do not use anything formulated for whitening teeth.)
Make sure a piece is completely dry any time it is to go into a sealed container or cardboard box for any length of time. You do not want to promote Byne's 'disease.' Some collectors like to use baby oil to give the sheen back to dulled shell. This is a matter of personal preference & has little or no protective value.
A museum conservator would probably be aghast at this & insist at the very least that you should use purified, de-ionized water. They do not want to lose a single molecule from items in their care; but for most of us, for most pieces, this degree of caution really is not necessary.
About left-facing cameo profiles. The speculation is that these are the work of left-handed carvers (imagine you are about to cut a profile with your dominant hand; which way would it face?) but I have seen cameos signed by the same cutter, some of which are left-facing (sinistral), while others face right (dextral). If you really start counting, sinistral cameos are not much less common than dextral ones. Lefties are over represented among artists, compared to the general population. Left handedness is more common in men than in women, & the overwhelming number of cameo artists are male. All in all, it probably should not be surprising that sinistral cameos are as common as they are. This quality really is not rare & does not add value to a piece. When it comes to value, quality of carving outweighs all other factors.
Thank you cameosleuth for your cleaning and storing instructions. Also for your expertise about left and right handed carvers. I appreciate your help and will clean my cameo carefully! :-)
That is simply BEAUTIFUL!!
Thank you Scott!!
Thanks friends for all your loves :-)
There is another cameo by this artist up for sale now. In this case the signature looks more like 'Lamant'.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/222613647761