A FIND! shell CAMEO deals Pendant/brooch/Earrings set, 12kt GF on Victorian 57" (28.5" doubled) brass pocket watch chain. Unique, elegant, edgy.
DESCRIPTION:
This is such an interesting find! Fully hallmarked, artisan hand carved vintage shell cameo framed by a 12kt gold filled twisted wire bezel, matching pierced earrings with screw on butterfly nuts, also in 12kt GF. Very likely made in Italy, beautifully carved and detailed. And it gets better! The pendant is on a ca. 1880's antique Victorian women's brass 57 inch watch chain that can be worn long as a single strand, or doubled to 28.5 inches as shown in the pics, or even doubled again as a choker if you have a slender neck. So edgy and cool. The chain all by itself is a treasure and can be used in so many ways, and the pendant is also a brooch for yet another totally unique look. You will love this antique elegant and edgy set...it's a great look!
***MORE INFO BELOW DESCRIPTION.
WEIGHT:
27.5 gram total, cameo and earrings alone are 12.4 grams.
SIZE / MEASUREMENTS:
Watch chain is 57 inches total (28.5 inch drop), or28.5 inches when worn doubled.
MARKINGS / HALLMARKS:
Cameo signed 'SAMMARTHAO BROS. 1/20 12KT'; earrings stamped '1/20 12kt G.F'. The watch chain is signed 'HDM CO' on the clasp/clip.
MATERIALS:
12kt gold filled, brass, carved shell.
CONDITION:
Beautiful vintage condition with only minor indications of prior use and the light surface burnish on the metal expected in a piece of this age. I clean vintage pieces by gently washing with dish soap (vintage patina is good, vintage dirt and germs are bad!) Then I usually give a quick surface buff with a silver cleaning cloth to bring up the contrast, leaving the natural patina of age in the details to enhance its beauty.
GIFT BOX INCLUDED, ready to give or just to enjoy!
OPTIONAL SHIPPING UPGRADE : I ship fast, usually the day you order, using USPS FIRST CLASS MAIL (1-5 days ), but for an additional cost you can purchase an upgrade to PRIORITY MAIL (1-3 days) at checkout if you wish.
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WHAT DOES GOLD FILLED MEAN?
“Gold-filled” is a USA industry standard that legally requires 1/20th, or 5% pure gold by weight. It's a strictly regulated process that involves pressure bonding multiple layers of solid 14k gold with extreme heat over a core of high quality jeweler's brass resulting in a durable, quality real gold product. Gold filled is not to be confused with gold plating as filled literally has 100% more gold than gold plating. Gold filled is much more valuable and tarnish resistant. It does not flake off, rub off or turn colors. As a matter of fact, anyone who can wear gold can wear gold filled without worries of any allergic reaction to the jewelry. Gold filled jewelry is an economical alternative to solid gold.
When deciding on gold jewelry a lot of terms come up. The most popular are Solid Gold, Gold Filled, and Gold Plated. It is important to know the differences between Gold Filled jewelry and Gold Plated jewelry when making your choice. Solid gold is of course an exquisite piece of jewelry. Gold filled is the next level and is an amazing, quality alternative to solid gold. Gold plating or vermeil is the lower level and these items tend to tarnish and can often times turn the skin green.
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THE HISTORY OF CAMEOS:
The most popular cameos today are carved in sea shells, a tradition that began in the fifteenth or sixteenth century and was popularized by Queen Victoria of England. Since that time, cameos have predominately showcased women's profiles, and been worn by women who enjoy the beauty and craftsmanship of hand-carved cameos.
Yet cameos have not always been decorative jewelry for women. In fact, at different points in history they have been worn as frequently by men. While the birthplace of the cameo was nearly 300 years before the birth of Christ in Alexandria, Egypt, cameos owe their origins to ancient carving traditions. As far back as 15,000 BC, petroglyphs — figures carved into rock — were used to record significant events and communicate information. In ancient times people used cameos to depict an ethic or moral, or to make a statement about their faith or loyalties.
In the centuries since, cameos have been used for various purposes and decorated with a wide range of carvings. Early Greek and Roman carvings featured images of gods and goddesses, themes from mythology, beautiful women and biblical events. Many cameos through history depict living heroes or rulers. In the Hellenistic era young women used cameos as charms to express desire. A woman could wear a cameo depicting a dancing Eros as a seductive invitation to love. During the Renaissance, Pope Paul II was an avid cameo collector. According to history, this love ultimately led to his death. His excessive display of carved gems and stones on his fingers kept his hands so cold that he caught the chill that meant his death.
Cameos have been used on helmets and military accessories like breastplates and sword handles, on rings and other jewelry, and on vases, cups and dishes. Women began deals collecting cameos to prove cultural status during the Elizabethan period. At the same time, tourist travels to the ruins of Pompeii were on the rise and women began collecting shell and lava cameos as souvenirs to remember their travel. During the 18th century, men purchased carved gems to mark their prestige and culture. Cameos enchanted Napoléon, who wore a cameo to his own wedding and founded a school in Paris to teach the art of cameo carving to young apprentices. Not until the nineteenth century, when the popularity of shell cameos grew — reducing the use of hard stones or agate — did profiles become as popular a subject matter as they are today.