Antique 14K & Coral Cameo Necklace

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. 

Introducing Sophronia, a marvelous carved coral cameo, set in 14 karat yellow gold with a serpentine motif framing her beautiful countenance. The high-relief carving shows great skill, with every lock of hair and flower petal intricately carved. Graduated angel skin coral beads form the chain, with a voluptuous coral drop hanging from the cameo. An extravagant piece, and a must-have for any cameo collecter!

Details (approximate)

Dimensions: 16" overall length; pendant is 3.5"

Weight: 37.12 grams

Materials: Gold, Coral

Metal: 14K yellow gold

Marks: None

Condition: Excellent Antique condition commensurate with age and wear