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This is an antique cameo, made of shell and framed in a rose gold collar. It was passedd on to me from my grandmother or great aunt (her sister) who lived from the late 1800 until 1948. The collar is 5mm wide and is etched in an Art Neuveau wave pattern. The collar has a C clasp for wearing as a brooch, and a swivel mounted ring for wearing as a pendant.
This cameo, when held up to a light, has a nice coral-colored glow which suggests to me it is carved from a Conch shell. There are no chips or cracks visible when held up to the light and the carving is shadowed in reverse. There is some repaired damage to the rose gold frame where the clasp must have broken. I believe this was done in the early 20th Century. She is facing some raised areas on the shell but they are not visible when held up to the light and I have to assume they are natural ridges in the shell around which the carver worked.
This cameo is of a woman facing right...the most common pose. She has extremely detailed and finely carved hairdo. It is difficult to tell about her nose, but because this cameo came down through my family, I can vouch for it being made before 1900.
The cameo itself is 31 x 24 mm and, with the frame, is 39 x 30 mm.
