Posted 5 years ago
finders9
(81 items)
My daughter-in-law recently asked for my opinion of an antique brooch she inherited from her grandmother. As my knowledge of such items is very limited I thought I would ask the viewing audience. I have had some exposure to cameos and find this example especially attractive; held up against the light it is very translucent and the detail, especially the hair, is both unusual and wonderful. I could find no markings but assume the frame is "white gold". It measures approximately 1.75" x 2". Finally, I believe the mechanism was replaced over the years. Welcome any/all comments. Thanks
Really gorgeous habille cameo, it is called habille because the lady is wearing a (most likely real) diamond pendant. The hat she is wearing looks like 1920s style, and you are right to assume it has a white gold frame as most did. Lovely family heirloom to treasure
The clasp is as old as the cameo - not a replacement.
A helmet shell cameo, cut in Italy, set elsewhere. The addition of the necklace that makes her en habille was also done after she left the cutters hands.
I agree that there have been no alterations to the brooch. Those small Edwardian era safety catches are very unreliable. It is good that the piece has the clutch as a backup. She should not be worn without using it.
She dates to a time when cameo cutters were leaving the neoclassical conventions behind, in favor of more contemporary looking beauties influenced by art nouveau, but is still recognizable as the goddess Ceres/Demeter, indicated by the stalks of grain in her hair:
https://cameotimes.com/index.php/profiles-1/olympian-gods/ceres-demeter