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.
A delightful cameo depicting Cupid, the Roman god of Love who is frolicking with Anteros, the god of Unrequited Love, perhaps giving the message that someone's emotions were being toyed with. Set in a 15 karat yellow gold frame with boules and roping, it has been converted into a ring at some point in time, using a 14 karat yellow gold shank. The truly fun aspect of this piece is that the cameo is a locket, providing a secret compartment for a little love note, a dried posy, or whatever you may fancy!
Details (approximate)
Size (can be resized): 9
Dimensions: Cameo is 18mm x 14mm
Weight: 8.15 grams
Materials: Gold, Carved Shell Cameo
Metal: 15K yellow gold (setting), 14K (shank)
Marks: 14K (on shank)
Condition: Excellent converted Antique condition