Calling all CAMEO lovers!

[mjm579]

Ok, so I got this in a rather round about way. I found a 10K Swank collar bar at the thrift store for $0.50. I took it to a local pawn shop and traded up for this beauty. Problem is that I know very little about cameos. I believe it is hardstone, Victorian, and the back of the cameo is also "signed".

It is a very small piece (last pic shows its size relative to tic tac).

Any details greatly appreciated.

I had nothing to loose, since I technically only paid $0.50 for it.

Looks a little like a young George Washington if you ask me.

 

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[mjm579]

Not the greatest at capturing pictures into the light.

 

[mjm579]

Another view in different light.

 

[diggummup]

Very cool little pin brooch. That's the first thing I thought of before I read your post. It looks like a young GW. It does look like an older type c clasp and hinge.

 

[surf]

Being semi diaphanous, my guess would be celluloid.

Vintage Cameo Colonial Lady w Filigree Frame

 

[diggummup]

Being semi diaphanous, my guess would be celluloid.

Vintage Cameo Colonial Lady w Filigree Frame

It could be but, I'm going to have to disagree. I'm thinking it's probably agate, onyx or some other hardstone. They can be semi translucent also. The tight c clasp and tube hinge are Victorian era. The only thing that bothers me is the length of the pin itself. I would expect it to be longer, though it could have been shortened. It does look handmade. It does look like real gold. The carving itself doesn't appear that intricate though. These are just my personal thoughts so take them with a grain of salt. At any rate it is a nice little pin.

 

[diggummup]

Being semi diaphanous, my guess would be celluloid.

Vintage Cameo Colonial Lady w Filigree Frame

It could be but, I'm going to have to disagree. I'm thinking it's probably agate, onyx or some other hardstone. They can be semi translucent also. The tight c clasp and tube hinge are Victorian era. The only thing that bothers me is the length of the pin itself. I would expect it to be longer, though it could have been shortened. It does look handmade. It does look like real gold. The carving itself doesn't appear that intricate though. These are just my personal thoughts so take them with a grain of salt. At any rate it is a nice little pin.

BTW- Can you make out the name on the back of it?

 

[mjm579]

It could be but, I'm going to have to disagree. I'm thinking it's probably agate, onyx or some other hardstone. They can be semi translucent also. The tight c clasp and tube hinge are Victorian era. The only thing that bothers me is the length of the pin itself. I would expect it to be longer, though it could have been shortened. It does look handmade. It does look like real gold. The carving itself doesn't appear that intricate though. These are just my personal thoughts so take them with a grain of salt. At any rate it is a nice little pin.

BTW- Can you make out the name on the back of it?

It isn't celluloid for sure. Not sure on the stone, but in the light it has a brownish hue to it.

Regarding the name, it is near impossible to make out. I've attempted to capture it with one of the pictures, but I will attach it again here and I'll see if I can get any others. My son got ahold of my loupe, and I need to order another one.

 

[mjm579]

The best I can make out is -
s h i r i g i a
c u r n u

OR
s h i r i g u a
c u r i r u

But who knows. It is such a small piece that appears to b carved in all lower case cursive letters. If it is old (and possibly Italian or other EUR country) I would have no idea of a normal name.

Thx again for any information you can offer.

 

[mjm579]

Also, the tip of the pin may have been shortened or perhaps it broke and the ground it down and rounded it off again.

 

[diggummup]

Also, the tip of the pin may have been shortened or perhaps it broke and the ground it down and rounded it off again.

Very possible

 

[allen]

That is a beauty.

 

[mjm579]

Since this may become a new obsession of mine, can anyone recommend a good cameo reference book? I could also use any reputable websites. But, call me old fashioned, I definitely want to invest in a good book on this subject.

Thx.