Antique Carnelian Intaglio Cameo and Silver Earrings. Intaglio carving is the oldest form of stone carving, preceding the more familiar, relief cameo carving. Intaglio, carving into the stone, was used in ancient times to carve seals, which were used to identify property. Carnelian was used extensively for carved seals because it was attractive, hard, and easy to separate from clay and wax. Carnelian is a type of quartz. Its hardness is 7 and it is very durable. In the Mediterranean and Middle East, carnelian is also believed to ward off the evil eye.
During the Victorian period, both men and women wore intaglio carvings and cameos were very popular. There were many pictorial themes, and themes honoring antiquity were favorites. These earrings present the motif from antiquity of Warrior/War and stand for Victor/Peace. The Roman gladiator is easy to understand as the warrior. The laurel-wreathed bust is more complex. Originally a Greek reward to athletic victors, poets and heroes, the laurel leaf symbolism was adopted by the Romans, and was eventually worn by only the most highly placed who stood for something.
The sterling carnelian intaglio cameo earrings measure 13/16" across. Signed "sterling" on screwbacks. Very good condition. Beautiful, wearable jewelry from yesterday, for today's woman. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH5605 - $295
This item has recently been sold.
Antique Oriental Carved Bone Flower Basket Pendant. Giannas thinks this lovely antique would have been worn long or at the neck on a black ribbon.
Weaving baskets and flower-arranging are ancient crafts which traveled from China to Japan. Mainly worked in bamboo, baskets tended to be symmetrical in China and more freeform in Japan.
This antique 2 1/4" tall lotus flower basket pendant is carved from bone in the same style on both sides. This is very beautiful, painstaking work. Very good condition. Shipping/Insurance is free in the USA! DH18007 - $62
Vintage Shell Cameo and Rhinestones Earrings. These beautiful goldtone screwback earrings are from the 1930s Victorian Revival period and are good examples of the romantic sentimentality of the period. The earrings measure 7/8" tall. The shell cameo carvings are crisp and detailed featuring two different lovely young women who face inwards. The carving is particularly nice on these. The cameos are embraced with a fan of bright prong-set rhinestones which sets these earrings apart. Very good condition. Shipping/Insurance free in the USA! DH29107 - $93
Victorian Carved Jet Cross Mourning Brooch. This antique Victorian mourning pin is carved from one piece of jet, most likely Whitby jet. The brooch measures 1 7/16" tall with a dense satin black coloration. One fleabite on front edge, one on reverse edge. Original c-clasp closure.
A rather somber piece, but a key example for a mourning jewelry collection. Shipping/Insurance free in the USA! DH30408 - $96
Antique Carved Bone Flowers Brooch. This visually appealing antique ivory-colored bone brooch measures 1 1/8" across. Hand-carved flowers form a circle wreath. Old c-clasp for closure. Very good condition. Shipping/Insurance is free in the USA! DH36508 - $42
Antique Silver and Gold Cameo Filigree Earrings. These shell cameo earrings date to the beginning of the 20th century. Graceful ribbed silver filigree frames the cameos of women in profile. The screwbacks are marked 10K. 7/8" tall and very good condition. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH44310
- $150
19th Century Antique Cameo of Earth Goddess Demeter Brooch. This 1 1/4" tall antique shell cameo illustrates the naturalistic integrity of antique hand-carved cameo brooches. The styling (Roman nose and long curled hair) are characteristic of cameos from the first half of the nineteenth century. The simple twisted gold filled rope border was in use throughout this century. The clasp on the reverse is a very early type of safety clasp.
The Greek goddess Demeter (Roman goddess Ceres) is identified by the sheaf of wheat wrapped in her hair. She was the most loving and generous of the gods, and closest to the common people. They looked to her to provide an abundant harvest and control the seasons. She was associated with fertility and marriage.
Demeter was compassionate to human suffering because of the loss of her daughter to Hades of the Greek underworld, her grief accounting for the Winter season. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH44610
- $100
