Antique 14K & Carved Shell Cameo Ring

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. 

This glorious cameo brooch depicts a gorgeous woman in such high relief, she is positively bursting from within her golden frame! Most likely converted into a ring sometime during the twentieth century, she has a lovelorn expression despite her wonderful hairdo! We are loving this for all the romantic reasons, and think it would be just as fitting to wear at the opera as at the flea market!

Details (approximate)

Size (can be resized): 7

Weight: 8.6 grams

Materials: Gold, Carved Shell Cameo

Metal: 14K yellow gold

Marks: 14K

Condition: Excellent Antique condition commensurate with age and wear