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. *
Victorians were enchanted by Ancient civilizations and loved to wear jewelry that mimicked the styles of Roman and Greek artifacts. This beautiful cameo depicts the profile of a lady in relief. From the top of her intricately carved hair to the tip of her her Grecian nose, she is perfectly executed, her pale beauty standing out starkly from the deep black background. Framed with 24 seed pearls set in 14 karat gold, she has been converted to a ring on an antique replica shank.
* Source: My Modern Met https://mymodernmet.com/history-of-cameo-jewelry/
Details (approximate)
Size: 7.5 (can be resized)
Dimensions: 1" Ring top
Weight: 5.11 grams
Materials: Gold, Carved cameo, Seed Peals
Metal: 14K yellow gold
Marks: Marks on reverse of stone
Condition: Excellent antique & converted condition
LOE