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Judy Jay's Time Dances By |
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Phone: 210-690-8454 |
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--Last Updated: 03/27/2008 -- |
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Judy Jay's Time Dances By |
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Phone: 210-690-8454 |
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--Last Updated: 03/27/2008 -- |
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Cameos |
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(Click photo for additional views) |
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| Item: | Description: | Price: |
 CA090 |
 REGAL MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Portrait
Brooch / Pin ): Portrait Cameos had long been commissioned by
royalty and the aristocracy. In the late nineteenth century the
newly-wealthy of Victorian society began collecting cameo
representations of historical figures, such as Shakespeare, Elizabeth
Barrett Browning, Dante and contemporary notables including the Romantic
poets and novelists. This superb Antique Cameo, hand carved of Black
Helmet Shell, is a portrait of Mary Queen of Scots. An oval cameo, set
in a 10KT gold mount, it depicts Mary in her elaborate attire. (c.
1870-80) She is wearing a delicately carved ruff and her distinctive cap
headpiece. This lovely Elizabethan lady is adorned with gorgeous jewelry
– note the wonderful earring and beaded necklaces. Mary is wearing a
tiny heart pendant and a cross suspended from a chain, symbols of her
faith. She was eventually beheaded in the reign of Elizabeth I. (Mary
was born in 1542 and died in 1587.) The 10KT (jeweler tested) bezel set
double mount has a clear compartment on the reverse side, containing a
curl of reddish blonde hair tied with a pink ribbon on a turquoise
fabric backing. The brooch has a C clasp closure and still retains its
safety chain. Highly sought after by collectors, this regal and elegant
Mary Queen of Scots Cameo Brooch is an unforgettable example of a master
carver’s art. Make a space in your jewelry box because this Queen Cameo
belongs there! Condition: Excellent. The pin stem may be an early
replacement. There are a few tiny surface indentations on the hollow
mount at 8:00, but they are barely visible. Size: Just over 2” high, 1
3/4” wide, 3/8” deep. |
$950.00 |
 CA092 |
ATHENA IN HORSE HELMET ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Brooch / Pin
): Incredibly fine delicate carving sets this Victorian Cameo Brooch
head and shoulders above most of the rest. (c. 1870-80) This is Athena,
the daughter of Zeus, who had an unusual birth – she emerged fully grown
and armed from the head of Zeus. (Don’t ask!) She was the fierce Greek
goddess of War, but also the goddess of Wisdom. Athena in battle costume
presented an awesome figure. Her sumptuous helmet has a Greek sphinx at
the top and winged horse on the side. Across the front of the helmet
three tiny horses race just above her brow and a horse hair crest tapers
down to a tail at the back of her neck. She wears a short armor breast
plate with the head of Medusa at the center. (One of Athena’s
attributes, the snake, is pictured along with her spear.) Athena was a
virgin goddess and her main temple was the Parthenon. Notice the fine
triple row necklace and the lovely drop earring. Details everywhere you
look! This breathtaking Antique Cameo is set in a simple jeweler tested
15KT gold rimmed setting that does not distract from the intricate
carving. The master carvers mark and the number 411 are visibly etched
on the back (Seen only in reflected light.) There is a C clasp closure
with a slightly elongated pin stem. The tiny loop at the bottom is for a
safety chain. You will fall in love with this dramatic multitasking
goddess. Truly a classic Cameo that you can later pass on to your family
as a remembrance. Condition: Excellent. The shell is naturally shaded in
color and slightly curved. The back has the usual marks of gold testing
done by careless dealers. The real value is in the Cameo carving! Size:
2” high, 1 5/8” wide. |
SOLD! |
 CA091 |
TWO GODDESSES “DAY & NIGHT” ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Pendant
): The romantic Victorians loved the subjects, “Day” and “Night”.
This exquisite hand carved shell Antique Shell Cameo pendant, circa
1870, presents the personification of the goddesses – “Day and Night” in
combination. Each displays their respective attributes. On the left, Day
(Eos/Aurora) is seen with flowers in her hair and the rays of sun
radiating above her head as she welcomes in the day. On the right, Night
(Nyx/Nox) wears the veil of night with poppies – the narcotic, sleep
inducing plant, in her hair. Her eyes are closed. The stars and a
crescent moon can be seen floating above both figures. Zeus, in the
guise of an eagle, rests on the clouds - providing a serene scene of the
gods in peaceful harmony. This Victorian Cameo Pendant is remarkable for
its delicacy of execution and poetic feeling. The fact that this
masterful Cameo is a pendant makes it all the more desirable to me. I
love having Cameos that are worn close to the face. A seductive and
alluring Cameo reminding us that angels of many sorts greet us night and
day. A highly sought after Cameo subject, especially with Zeus appearing
as an eagle, “Day and Night” will continue to fascinate and delight you.
The mounting is jeweler tested Sterling Silver with a nice sized
Sterling bale. The Cameo is bezel set and surrounded by a rope twist.
Condition: Excellent. There may have been a thin vermeil gold wash at
one time, as there appears to be the slightest hint of gold in the
Sterling Silver setting. Size: Cameo is 2 1/8” long, 1 5/8” wide, with
bale 2 1/2” long. |
SOLD! |
 CA087 |
POMPEII MEMENTO ( Victorian Jewelry Lava Cameo Brooch / Pin ): Victorians had a passion for travel and heading the list of tourist sights were the newly uncovered ruins of Pompeii. Tourists, then as now, were of a single mind when it came to taking home souvenirs to remind them of their holidays and Lava Cameos from Mount Vesuvius became the mementos of choice. Lavish and intricate in its every detail, this gorgeous large pale grey Antique Lava Cameo depicts a Bacchante, one of the female followers of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and fertility. Just look at the incredible depth of the relief and the fine carving delineating the leaves and grapes twisted through her hair. I particularly like to think of her proper Victorian owner (c. 1840-1860) adorned by what is, after all, an ancient party girl! Set high in a jeweler tested Sterling Silver beaded bezel mount, the entire piece is then surrounded by a larger beaded frame. The setting retains a light vermeil wash that softens the silver with a beautiful patina. There is a C clasp closure and the entire back is enclosed in silver. These portable cameo carvings were frequently brought back unmounted and then set by the owner. Notice her shell-like ear, her perfect nose and the fact that she is facing left, unusual in cameo profiles. Lava Cameos have recently increased in popularity as buyers rediscover the history of lava carving and the perfection of the classical look. This color grey looks well on so many colors and says to viewers that your style is sophisticated and elite. Condition: Excellent: No chips or cracks. Size: 2 3/8” high, 2” wide, 3/4” deep. | ON LAYAWAY! |
 CA084 |
ROSY-FINGERED DAWN ( Victorian Jewelry Cameo Brooch ): The romantic Victorians loved the subjects “Day” and “Night”, based on a pair of bas-reliefs sculpted by Bertel Thorvaldsen in Rome, 1815. This beautifully mounted Victorian hand carved shell cameo depicts the goddess of Dawn, Aurora, accompanied by the Genius of Light holding his torch aloft. (c. 1860-80) Aurora is seen scattering roses as she ushers in the day. Homer described her as “rosy-fingered”. This Antique Cameo is remarkable for its delicacy of execution and poetic feeling. The very ornate setting is made of yellow gilt gold and features leaf and scroll motifs. The C clasp and hinge are early replacements, but the pin stem seems to be the original extended Victorian style pin. A “heavenly” Cameo that reminds us that angels of many sorts greet us night and day. Condition: Excellent. Some signs of wear to the mount commensurate with age. No visible cracks or stress marks. I believe that this setting may have been a bracelet clasp at one time that was redesigned as a brooch. There appears to be a slot for a clasp on the right side of the setting. That would explain the depth of the setting. Size: 2 1/2” high, 2” wide, mounting on sides 1/2”deep. Best worn on a jacket or thick fabric because of the deep mount. | $675.00 |
 CA085 |
HARDSTONE CLASSIC BEAUTIES ( Victorian Jewelry Hardstone Cameo Earrings
):
Right out of a Gloucester, |
$350.00 |
 CA082 |
GODDESS OF PLENTIFUL HARVEST ( Victorian Jewelry Demeter Shell Cameo Brooch / Pin ): A superb hand carved Victorian shell cameo, this brooch depicts the Greek goddess Demeter. (c. 1870) A regal deity, she wears a crown of wheat sheaves. Demeter was the goddess of agriculture and vegetation, a beneficent earth goddess who made everything grow and ripen. A sister of Zeus, this kind, gentle goddess insured that mortals always had plentiful harvests. She was also associated with fertility and newly married couples often received gifts of wheat. This timeless beauty has been carved with exquisite detail and depth. A large Antique Cameo Brooch, it is mounted in an 18KT Gold link setting with delicate touches of engraving on the outer links. The pin back retains its original C clasp with a replacement pin stem. Remarkable in quality, this Cameo Brooch conveys the essence of Victorian extravagance in jewelry. Condition: Excellent. A few age related light stress marks not visible to the naked eye. A few repairs to the back of the frame done with the addition of golden balls, rather than solder. Size: 2 1/2” high, 2 1/8” wide, 1/4” deep. Cameo carving is 2” high, 1 1/2” wide. | $750.00 |
CA081 |
WINDOW TO THE PAST ( Victorian Jewelry Hardstone Cameo Brooch ): All jewelry is personal adornment, designed to be worn. Yet the Cameo, perhaps more than any other form of “jewel”, has long been appreciated as a work of art. Cameos, being carvings in relief – in effect miniature sculptures – were the ideal conduits for the revival of classical themes. This supremely feminine Victorian hardstone cameo brooch is, I believe, a custom made piece of jewelry. (c. 1870-90) The setting is highly engraved 14 KT gold, set with 24 small round pearls. The Antique Hardstone Cameo at the center is hand carved from a piece of banded agate. If you look closely at the side view, you can see a thin layer of brown that has been carved away to reach the black base layer. The white agate depicts an elegant classical noblewoman complete with a pendant necklace and earrings. The back of this brooch has a celluloid covered removable compartment used to hold hair of a likeness of the loved one. Marked “K14”, the closure is an enhanced C clasp – a very sturdy, reinforced clasp. A refined and regal Cameo Brooch that combines the artistry of a master carver and a skilled jeweler. What a magnificent gift for a loved one or – better still – treat yourself to this one-of-a-kind treasure! Condition: Excellent. Some abrasions on the celluloid cover on the back. Tiny solder repair not visible from the front. Size: Entire brooch 2 1/4” high, 1 7/8” wide. Cameo 1 1/4” high, 1” wide, 3/8” deep. | $1495.00 |
CA079 |
CRESCENT MOON HUNTRESS ( Victorian Jewelry Cameo Brooch / Pin ): Meticulously hand carved from shell, this Victorian Cameo Brooch of Diana, the goddess of the hunt, is portrayed in a most graceful and unusual manner. (c. 1860-80) The entire background of the shell has been carved away, leaving a dainty and feminine portrait of the goddess. Diana was a beautiful wild maiden, a virgin huntress bearing a silver bow and a quiver of golden arrows. She lived in the forest with an attendant band of nymphs and hunting dogs. Identified with the moon goddess, Selene, the crescent moon on her head became one of Diana’s symbols. In this Victorian interpretation her “wildness” has been tamed to suit the romantic Victorian style. Abundant hair curls and waves are rendered with exquisite beauty. Her bow is visible on one side and the quiver of arrows on the other. She wears a necklace of fine, tiny beads and dress of flowing draperies. I believe that this carving was originally a souvenir of the Victorian passion for travel. She may have been placed in a shadow box. At a much later date, this Antique Cameo was made into a splendid brooch by using the two jeweler tested 10KT gold balls to attach the safety catch pin back. The shell itself is slightly curved, making this Diana Cameo even more attractive. I’m so glad she was made into a piece of wearable art to be shared by all who see her. Condition: Excellent. No stress marks. A few light scratches visible only under magnification. Size: 2” high, 1 1/2” wide, shell is 1/8” thick. Curved it is 1/4” deep. | $750.00 |
CA078 |
BATTLE READY HORSES: ( Victorian Jewelry Cameo Brooch ): Magnificent grandeur! This unforgettable hand carved Shell Cameo shows a mastery of carving skill. Ares (Mars), the predatory god of War, was ruggedly handsome and violent. He embodied not just the act, but the spirit of War. Ares is usually depicted wearing a helmet with a sword, shield or – in this case – a spear. Homer describes him as “always ready for strife, battle and the bloody grind of war”. Ares rode into battle with his horses – Flame & Terror – pulling his war chariot. The layers of shell color have been carved away, leaving the horse and chariot in extremely high relief. A stunning example of the magic of a cameo. It is my belief that this is a newly carved cameo, newly set in a 14KT wire twist bezel set mount. There is a C clasp closure. New or old, it is an outstanding and dramatic example of hand carved art. Condition: Excellent. A few tiny striations at edges – not visible to the naked eye. Size: 2” high, 2 1/4” wide, 5/8” deep. | $775.00 |
CA076 |
WINGS OF LOVE ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Brooch / Pin ): This elegant and refined Victorian Shell Cameo (c. 1840-60) is an unusual rendering of Psyche, the bride of Cupid. Cupid pricked himself on his own arrow and fell in love with the beautiful mortal Psyche. After many trials, Zeus gave permission for the two lovers to marry and Psyche became an immortal. Psyche in Greek means both “soul” and “butterfly” – the soul was seen as a butterfly which left the body after death. In this crisp and complex carving, Psyche wears her butterfly wings on her shoulders and holds a second butterfly in her hand. Delicate and feminine, this Antique Cameo is enhanced by the swirling scarf in her hand and the fluffy clouds at the bottom. The entire cameo is filled with a circular motion. The shell is prong set in a delicate jeweler tested 14 KT gold rim. The yellow gold frame is best seen in the last photo, side view. The original C clasp and hinged pin stem are intact. A special cameo to own for yourself and then enjoy passing on to another generation. Condition: Excellent. No stress marks. Size: 2 1/4” high, 1 3/4” wide. Cameo curves 1/4” high. | $800.00 |
CA073 |
OPULENT & UNFORGETTABLE ( Edwardian Jewelry Antique Cameo Brooch / Pin ): I was delighted to find this Edwardian Cameo Brooch with its extravagant setting. (c. 1910-1920’s) The hand carved female seems to represent a transitional period between Victorian and Art Deco. (Belle Époque Edwardian period c. 1890-1920’s) This unsuspecting, charming Bacchante - with grapes in her hair - is about to face a great change as the “modern” woman of the 20’s emerges. The oval Cameo itself has been enhanced by the later addition of an elaborate double frame of simulated pearls and coral beads, set in jeweler tested Sterling Silver. I don’t know when this work was done, but it certainly makes this brooch opulent and unforgettable. Someone must have been very fond of this cameo to add such masterful embellishments. This is gorgeous! There is a replacement bar pin back with a safety clasp closure. Condition: Excellent. A few tiny dings to coral beads, not visible except under magnification. Size: Entire brooch is 2 5/8” high, 2 1/4” wide, 3/8” deep. Cameo is 1 3/4” high, 1 3/8” wide. | $700.00 |
CA074 |
YOUNG GOD OF WINE & GREEK THEATRE ( Victorian Cameo Jewelry Swivel Brooch ): We all know Dionysus as the hedonistic Greek god of the Vine, Wine and Fertility. In this impressive Victorian Swivel Cameo Brooch he is pictured as a sensual young god with long, flowing hair – wearing a vine-wreath crown. (c. 1870) He holds a thyrus, an ivy entwined staff topped with a pine cone, a fertility symbol. The carved animal pelt over his shoulder appears to be a lion. Often his followers wore masks and, from choragic literary contests known as “Dionysia”, tragedy and comedy evolved. Quite grand in scale, this hand carved shell cameo is bezel set in a swivel mount. The bold, gold plated link setting is engraved with a floral & leaf motif and has a wire twist edging. The swivel turns easily to reveal the original clear cover. The safety clasp closure is a replacement. A wonderful Antique Cameo steeped in meaning and memories of the Victorian era. Condition: Excellent. An old solder repair at bottom of the swivel, but not visible from the front. Some wear to the plating. Size: 2 3/4” high, 2 3/8” wide, 3/8” deep. Cameo is 1 3/4” high, 1 3/8” wide. |
$650.00 |
CA068 |
ORNATE AND ROMANTIC BACCHANTE ( Victorian Jewelry Shell Cameo Brooch ): By the second half of the 19th Century the Cameo had become an essential item of female adornment. This lovely Victorian shell cameo (c. 1850-1860) depicts a bacchante, a female follower of the god of wine and fertility, Bacchus. The Victorians were less concerned with mythological accuracy, instead requiring their cameos to follow the aesthetic of Romanticism. Bacchantes remained a favorite subject – but where they had been wild, abandoned followers of Bacchus – now they were softened to resemble docile young maidens with vine leaves and grapes threaded charmingly through their hair. This bacchante adds wheat stalks to her headdress and carries a thyrsus – a staff topped with a pine-cone, both fertility symbols. The 10KT gold ornate setting of this brooch is unusually attractive. The cameo carving is set in a deep bezel with scroll and leaf motifs curling up and over the mount, creating a lush and sumptuous look. The back of the cameo is signed “GL”. A safety catch replaces the earlier C-clasp. Condition: Excellent. Very light wear. Slight brown background fade to the right of forehead is natural. Size: 1 7/8” high, 1 1/2” wide. Setting and cameo together 1/2” deep. | $450.00 |
CA058 |
CAMEO MYTHS MINGLE ( Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch ): The Victorians visiting the “Great Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations” in 1851 marveled at the attainments of their age. Characterized by determination for supremacy and the desire for “making it big”, Victorian jewelry became larger and bolder. By the second half of the 19th Century, the Cameo brooch had become an essential item of feminine adornment. The Victorians were rather less concerned with mythological accuracy, instead requiring their cameos to follow the new aesthetic of Romanticism. This large and dramatic Victorian (c. 1870-90) shell cameo brooch has united two classical mythological subjects although I’m not certain of the direct connection. In the right foreground, the large profile appears to be Ceres (Greek – Demeter), with twin stalks of wheat in her hair. She was the goddess of life, death, rebirth, fertility and the passing of seasons. (Busy lady!) To the left, behind Ceres, we see a pretty Bacchante, a female follower of the hedonistic god of the grape, Bacchus. Both ladies are dressed in the Grecian manner. Set in a jeweler tested 18KT “broken branch” framework, this brooch is well executed and striking. On the back there is evidence of two old repairs that are well done and do not show from the front. The C-clasp is a replacement. Condition: Excellent. No chips, cracks or stress marks. Nice coloration. Size: 2 7/8” high, 2 1/2” wide, 1/2” deep. | SOLD! |
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