CAMEO, Unusual Design, Black And Pale Green Enamel Over Silver

Jewelry : Vintage : Pins/Brooches : Cameo

 

I haven't seen a piece like this before and I think it is quite lovely. It seems to be an enamel over silver and mounted on a non precious metal mount.

The silhouette of the woman is surrounded by black enamel. The silhouette or portrait of the cameo is a faint, pale blue/green thin enamel and the silver is seen in relief through the enamel and shows through completely in one section. The section that is exposed is the side of the face with some flowers and hair curls in relief.

It is a petite pin measuring just under 1 inch wide and about an 1 inch and 1/8" long. The clasp is old and without a lock and the back seems to be brass. The rope trim around the cameo is also brass and probably could use a good cleaning. I guess I should have cleaned it before I took the photo!

I purchased this cameo in a box lot at an auction of an antique store. The auction was several years ago in Oregon and if I ever knew anything about this piece of jewelry, I have long ago forgotten it. Old age, I guess!

Item ID: ph1861