A cameo is a form of glyptography, or bas-relief carving, most often cut into glass, hard-stones, and shells. Artworks were crafted to create two layers on one piece of material, the top of which protruded from its background, creating a multi-dimensional artwork. These detailed reliefs were often used to adorn pieces of jewelry, including brooches, necklaces, bracelets and rings. The earliest cameos took inspiration from prehistoric petroglyphs, which documented important religious and symbolic iconography onto rock faces.
Despite its popularity in previous periods, the most well-known era for cameo collection was the 19th century, inspired by royal cameo collectors Queen Victoria and Emperor Napoleon Buonaparte. Shelled cameos, which depicted these natural and humanistic scenes onto deep-sea shells, became quite popular under Queen Victoria’s reign. Similarly, Napoleon himself founded a Parisian apprentice school to foster the talents of young cameo carvers. *
The beautiful cameo in this case is carved from a bright orange coral, in beautiful detail. With her flowing curls and hint of a low-cut dress, and high-relief flower in her hair, she has a gorgeous flair! Converted from a stick pin from the 1910s and converted to a ring with a gorgeous replica shank, this cameo ring is like wearing a little story on your hand. Who is this romantic looking lady? Did she live on an exotic tropical island? Did she meet a handsome sailor who swept her off her feet? Put the ring on your finger, and imagine all the fine things there are in life!
* Source: My Modern Met https://mymodernmet.com/history-of-cameo-jewelry
Details (approximate):
Size: 6.5
Dimensions: Ring face is 2" long at its widest point
Weight: 3.6g
Materials: 14k gold, 10k gold, Carved coral
Metal: 14k & 10k yellow gold
Marks: "10k" "14k"
Condition: Good antique condition. There is a slight split in the setting at the top of the ring face.
LOE