April 29, 2010

Ancient Beauties

I have learned to fall for vintage jewelries. One classic beauty is CAMEO jewelry. The earliest known use of shell cameo carving was during the Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries. Before that time, cameos were carved from hard stones. Stone cameos of great artistry were made in Greece dating back as far as the 6th century. Today, the great gemstone carving center of the world is Idar-Oberstein, Germany, famous for their gemstone and agate carvings. This type of carvings is much more difficult because of its hardness of gemstones and agates. Stone cameos are very resistant to chipping and will not peel, crack, fade or discolor with age, making these type of cameos as an "Investment". Shell was not used until a much later date. Shells became extremely popular and eventually the art of cameo carving. Today, the center of shell cameos lies in a small town of Torre de Greco, located at the Bay of Naples. Fake cameos have also been around since ancient times. These are referred to cameos that are not carved from a single stone, but from several stones glued together.
Coral cameos were popular during the Victorian era as a symbol of good luck.
Ivory
Marble
Wedgewood Cameos
If you are looking for a classic cameo collection at an affordable price, visit the Robin's Nest.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this post, I totally love cameos and am sorry to say I don't own own. I wouldn't be able to choose from this bunch they are all so gorgeous. I had a pair of cameo earrings once, (they weren't real), and I wore them so much they broke. xo

It's me said...

O Gosh Mary Ann this is soooo beautiful !!

Thanks for share,..have a great sunny friday.hugs from me........

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

I so adore cameos...so beautiful and feminine!

Wonderful post!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Razmataz said...

The molds for htese cameos must be so intricate.....a real work of art. These ones are absolutley gorgeous.

Brenda Pruitt said...

I don't have any cameos. So lovely and feminine!
Brenda

the gardener's cottage said...

Hi Maryann,


These are so lovely. I especially love the ivory one. The details are exquisite.

~janet

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

You have reminded me that I have a cameo that we bought in Italy in 2000. It is a beautiful one. Not real big. The big ones can get quite expensive. I was going to put it in a tiny shadow box for display.

Unknown said...

I love cameos! I adore those Wedgwood ones, especially! I have a cameo pin, it's just costume, but I love it, it adds so much to any outfit!

Heather said...

Interesting! I never knew! They're lovely!

Doni said...

Ahhhh, sighhhhhh, they're so beautiful! What pretty photos you took too! The detail is perfect!
Thanks so much for sharing them with us!!! Blessings, Doni

Becca said...

Wow, cameos! I never really looked at them that much before, but your photos are beautiful! The coral and ivory are lovely. I would love to own one of those!

Les Cotrions said...

Wonderful cameos Mary Ann! They're artworks!!!
Happy week end!
Vale

Tato said...

Hi Mary Ann!
Thank for the visit, and wonderful weekend.
I hug

paula said...

I have a antique cameo ring that is gorgeous. Can't actually wear since it seems they made people's hands quite tiny back then:)

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

The details are absolutely amazing~ must be the talent & steady hands!
Lovely weekend*

Unknown said...

The classic cameo, so lovely! Great post!

The Shiny Pebble said...

The wedgewood collection is gorgeous! Cameo posting have been going aroudn blogworld lately, but your was truly amazing. I love how much research you have put into this. Awesome!

Vær våken said...

They're beautiful!! Happy Saturday, Mary Ann!!

Kristin XXXX

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Oh my goodness, your ancient teapot is beyond awesome! Such a gorgeous treasure, Mary Ann!!

Hope you're having a great weekend. xx

Hope Chella said...

Stunning! I want some vintage jewelry now :) xx

Bardot in Blue said...

i am a huge cameo fan! I have a lot in my etsy shop and these are just beautiful that you have selected here...

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