Vintage Shell Cameo Brooch Pendant Lot 6pc 12K Gold Filled c1900s-60s
DESCRIPTION:
A lovely and varied collection of six vintage and antique shell cameo brooches and pendants, including three pieces confirmed as 12K gold filled.
The collection features a variety of beautifully carved shell cameos depicting classical ladies and floral subjects, together with several different decorative settings including scalloped bezels, pierced surrounds, marcasite-style detailing, ribbon motifs, wirework and applied leaf decoration.
The pieces appear to represent a range of cameo jewellery styles from approximately the early 20th century through to the mid-20th century, although exact dates are not known.
The largest piece in the collection and an attractive carved shell cameo depicting a classical lady in profile.
The cameo is bezel set within an ornate scalloped decorative surround, with a nicely detailed vintage gold-filled finish.
Can be worn as either a brooch or pendant.
Marked: 12K GF
Size: approximately 4 × 3.5 cm
A charming carved white shell cameo featuring a detailed rose, bezel set within an attractive pierced/cut-out surround.
The piece has a decorative vintage gold-filled appearance and can be worn as either a brooch or pendant.
Marked: 12K GF
There is also a further marking which appears to read LINC or INC, although it is very faint and I cannot confidently identify it.
Size: approximately 2.7 × 2.5 cm
A smaller and particularly attractive carved shell cameo pendant featuring a classical profile and decorative applied leaf detailing.
The cameo is bezel set within an ornate mount with scrolling and leaf decoration.
There are very faint marks on the inside rim, which may possibly include a 10K marking, but they are too indistinct to decipher even under a jeweller's loupe. I have therefore not represented this piece as 10K gold.
Size: approximately 2.5 × 1.5 cm including bale
An attractive bezel-set carved shell cameo featuring a classical profile and an ornate ribbon-style surround.
The decorative mount incorporates a square-set clear accent stone, adding a little sparkle to the piece.
Importantly, this piece is also marked 12K GF.
Marked: 12K GF
Size: approximately 3 × 2.5 cm
This is another particularly appealing piece in the collection, with the combination of the carved shell cameo, decorative surround and confirmed 12K gold-filled setting.
A beautifully detailed claw-set shell cameo with a decorative marcasite-style surround and embossed white-metal backing.
The contrasting white cameo and darker decorative detailing give this piece a distinctive early 20th-century appearance.
There are extremely faint markings toward the bottom of the rear setting, however these cannot be deciphered with confidence and no specific metal content is being claimed.
Also included as a BONUS is a white shell cameo with decorative wirework surround, applied green-gold leaf decoration and bead detailing.
Please note that this piece has a tiny area of gold-tone loss at the bottom, which is why I am including it as a bonus rather than placing a value on it separately.
The lot therefore includes:
• 3 confirmed 12K gold-filled cameo pieces
• 2 additional decorative vintage/antique cameo pieces with unconfirmed metal content
• 1 bonus cameo with minor gold-tone loss
The variety of settings, carving styles and cameo designs makes this an appealing collection for someone who enjoys vintage shell cameos, antique jewellery, classical portrait jewellery or estate jewellery.
Overall the collection is in good vintage/antique condition considering age, with normal signs of age, handling and previous wear.
Minor surface marks, patina, age-related colour variation and wear to the metal finishes may be present. Please examine all photographs and the accompanying video carefully, as these form an important part of the description.
The shell cameos display the natural characteristics and colour variation that can occur with aged shell.
Where markings are extremely faint or unclear, I have deliberately not attributed a precious-metal content to those pieces.
Three pieces are clearly marked 12K GF as described above.
Please view the photographs and video for a close look at the individual cameos, settings and condition.
SOLD AS ONE COMPLETE LOT — I WILL NOT SPLIT THE COLLECTION.