Unusual Cameo on Glass With 14K Gold Plated Frame

NWS 11-820

~ Cameo collectors will know that this brooch is unusual. Most cameos show the profile, but this one shows a full frontal view.

~ The cameo has been set onto a base of glass, with colors of cream, caramel, honey and blue marbling (to the right of her head is one of the blue swirls). The glass, I think, was meant to simulate marble.

~ The woman's hair appears to be plaited into buns on either side of her face with braids at the back of both sides of her neck. She is wearing what looks like a crown or a veil, with roses on the left side of her head, and beneath them you can see the veil streaming out in folds behind her.  More of the veil can be seen on her right side, along with ringlets (or beads?) in her hair. She wears a necklace of 2 strands of beads or pearls.

~ The details are so refined, even down to the woman's pupils!

 ~ The cameo is prong-set in an ornate, stamped brass setting.

~ Outside of the rim of the setting is a strand of rope-twisted wire; the outer most wire is 14K gold plated and bears 6 rings of more rope-twisted wire for added emphasis.

~ The pin stem is an indication of the age; you can see that it extends beyond the edge of the brooch which is correct for a Victorian piece. The swivel-head safety clasp wasn't invented until 1911, so the one on this brooch is an early  replacement. Such replacements were commonly done by heirs for added safety.

c. 1860-80, best guess, in excellent condition; one tiny hairline crack on the back of the glass which does not go through to the front, probably occurred during firing.

Price = on Hold