A classical female portrait carved in relief from natural shell — her hair swept up and pinned, a draped neckline visible at the bust, the whole profile rendered with the kind of unhurried precision that distinguishes hand-carved cameos from molded reproductions. The warm honey-and-cream tones of the shell read differently in every light, and the open loop filigree frame that surrounds it adds delicacy without competing. Cameo carving as a tradition stretches back to ancient Rome, and this mid-century example carries that lineage lightly. Unsigned, as the majority of quality cameo brooches of this period were.
DETAILS
Maker: Unsigned
Style: Oval cameo brooch
Carving: Hand-carved female portrait in left-facing profile; upswept hair, draped neckline
Shell: Natural shell; warm honey and cream tones
Frame: Open loop filigree in gold tone
Function: Brooch with pin back
Material: Natural shell; gold-tone base metal frame
Era: 1940s–60s
Measurement: 1.5" x 1.25"
Condition: Vintage with gentle surface wear consistent with age
Collected by Mineral and Matter