Shell Cameos

I adore cameos. They are miniature works of art that transforms the wearer in to a living art gallery. The art of cameo carving has been traced as far back as the second and first centuries B.C., to the ancient Greco-Roman empires, where cameos enjoyed a golden age. Stone, shell, lava, Bakelite, resin plastics and wood, they can be carved in relief, intaglio or molded. Napoleon was so taken by the beauty of cameos that he not only wore and collected them, he also started a school in Paris to train young carvers. His wife’s coronation crown was studded with cameos.

Extraordinary antique french cameo headpiece (1860s.)

Cameo jewelry was incredibly popular during the Victorian era, approximately 1837 - 1901. As one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite types of jewelry, the popularity of the cameo naturally coincides with her reign. This era is also when the profile, rather than other designs became the most popular style for cameos.

This lovely classic cameo is beautifully carved right down to the details of her curls and tendrils, the roses in her hair and the pearls at her neck. Circa 1900s (I Need This, Antiques - $140.00)

This deep relief, angel skin cameo is also highly detailed with grapes and grape leaves in her hair and a strand of pearls at her neck. Angel skin is not a shell but a pale pink coral and is one of the most sought after most expensive shell cameo types.


High relief, this angel skin cameo has the palest of pink backgrounds. Circa 1900s (I Need This, Antiques - $160.00)

Beautifully carved head of Athena showcases her helmet and plume and flowing tresses. Lots of carved details on the helmet. Vibrant background enhances the pure white of the shell. Interesting woven wire bezel. A lovely, well executed cameo. Circa 1900s (I Need This, Antiques - $125.00)

I have two cameos that I wear often, one belonged to my grandma-nana and is a traditional Rebecca at the Well theme (1890s). This was a widely popular cameo, often purchased for cash or trade from a traveling salesman across the prairies and the American West by working class men and women. Other than the wedding band a woman may own, it was the cameo to be worn at her throat that women covented. My other cameo is also a traditional Rebecca at the Well but contains two animals, a horse and a dog. Her arms wrapped around the horse as he is drinking from the well with the dog drinking at her feet. I adore this piece because it shows a tenderness towards God's creatures. Although there is a repair, it is my favorite and I wear it often.

Owned by the Sea Witch and worn often (1890s).

Cameos and cameo jewelry are treasures meant to be passed on from one generation to another. Cameos require special care and cleaning to keep them as beautiful as when first acquired and especially old cameo pieces. Shell and coral cameos in particular need a beauty regimen as they are prone to discoloration and cracking from drying as they age. To prevent the color-change and discoloration they need to be moisturized a couple of times of year with baby or mineral oil. Just apply the oil with your finger or soft-cotton swab and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe any remaining oil from the cameo with a soft fabric cloth--DO NOT use a paper towel. DO NOT wash the excess oil off or the moisturizing effect of the oil will be washed away also. Moisturize or rehydrate your cameos twice or year and each time after cleaning them. If your cameo needs cleaning, use a jewelry cleaner that is safe for cleaning pearls. Pearls, coral and shells are all porous materials so your cleaner must be gentle or it will destroy the cameo.

So check your jewel boxes for cameos and wear them, love them and show them off. They will always increase in value whether monetary or sentimental. (if you are interested in more information on the cameos I have shown for sale, please send me an email)

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Road Trip - Junk'in in Statham, Georgia

I've got a half tank of gas, my sister and her blackberry, and we are wearing sunglasses! Okay, so were not the Blues Brothers, but we are bluesy sista's and if we work hard at it, we could have several dozen troopers chasing us down the highway too. It could happen! Several of my Vintage Village (http://vintagevillageantiquesandmore.com/) dealer gal pals were showing at the Antique, Art and Garden Market in Historic Downtown Statham Georgia. So I grabbed my sister (her hands filled with her road trip necessities), filled my junk'in bag with my usual stuff and we headed out to Statham.

Sis can't function without her Starbucks so this was our first stop before taking that drive down highway 316 on this lovely Saturday morning. We arrive in Statham and I can see the tips of the tents beckoning to come shop. I had forgotten to fill up my tank before heading out...too deep in conversation with my sister, so I pulled into the local gas station to fill up. Vintage pumps with the digital numbers screamed 1970s and this pleasant gentleman walks up to the car and asks if I would like regular or high test. What, a full service station still exists! Was I back to the 1970s? Well, Mr. John Louis Thomas, with a smile that lights up a room, personally filled my tank. His equally as nice grandson took my card and completed the transaction with recommendations to come back in September for the Sunflower Festival. So, if you are ever in Statham, be sure to stop by and get personal, full service with a smile from Mr. Thomas.

Statham is a small, railroad community that is pretty much a small, main street but lined with lovely old buildings where the community has kept their historical integrity. I love these small communities as they are the lifeblood of America. Always filled with good, hardworking folks with open hearts. We come upon early booth sales of local folks who are selling everything from home furnishings to old paperbacks. The Georgia standard of big, sweet Vidalia onions is always a take home item. Slice them thick and plunge into ice water before covering with your favorite beer batter and deep fry them into the best onion rings you will ever have.

Lots of local organizations and churchs were raising donation monies selling all kinds of items including a selection of flannel nightgowns as well as an alternative choice.

I noticed several big antique stores but wanted to make the outdoor rounds first. I have always been lucky with the outdoor sellers and immediately saw a pretty little vintage biscuit jar among tools and other automotive items. The man said make me an offer and I did and this little beauty was mine. Pretty little transfer ware violets and a sassy handle highlight this sweet little biscuit (cracker) jar. The perfect place for your favorite Pepperidge Farm cookies.

Further on down is a booth full of repurposed coke, absolute and other bottles that have been melted and reformed into spoon rests, lemon servers, and pickle-olive plates. These are fantastic and are made by a very clever woman of CNC Bottleworks. If you are interested in these unique pieces you can contact her at: clcnorman@comcast.net.

I see "My Vintage Heart", my fellow dealer from Vintage Village offering many pretty things. MVH has a gift for showcasing her items in lovely vignettes of display. She always finds the most unique pieces and I often purchase more from her for my personal use then I should, but I can never help myself ... if those words escape my mouth, "Oh, I need this" it's a done deal.

You never know what you will find at these small community shows and true fans of "the King" are always hoping to catch an "Elvis sighting." My sister is the first to spot the handsome face of Elvis (right down to the dimple on his chin) and insisted upon a picture for proof and posterity.

I come across other treasures that I must have. A smashing Art Deco, matt white Royal Haeger (Wickman) double shell planter - a late Victorian, American pattern glass syrup dispenser and a pretty tea pot, creamer and matching saucer set.

I see in the distance, the sun dancing off a mosaic carousel horse. I grab sis and we navigate our way to a side street where Barbi Hoy, a truly gifted artist, who takes found items and transforms them into beacons of light using broken china, mirrors and tiles. Guitars, shoes that Elton John would die for, vintage coffeepots and old bed frames are among the items that the artist Hoy has used.

In addition, she creates darling and comical cats, horses, and dogs from clay and fires them with glazes of muted shades of seafoam, turquoise and lilac. Had to purchase one of her grinning dogs for my home and would have taken them all if I could. You can contact the artist at barbi@bellsouth.net

The sky is turning gray and as they say in the south, "It's comin' up a cloud" so I head inside The Factory Antiques, sponsors of this outdoor event. The great old building is baring its plaster lathing and exposed high ceilings and is filled with wonderful things. The old wood floor is no longer level and the sound of footsteps walking these old boards is a good sound. My sister immediately says to me, this building is full of old souls. I heartily agree...one of the reasons I love old things, they come with their own personal histories. Factory Antiques is owned by Evelyn Myrick and her lovely daughter who was helping lots of customers. Wonderful things reside in this shop and I will be back to hunt future acquisitions.

I couldn't leave without making at least one purchase from this wonderful shop and found this lovely vintage shell cameo. Angel skin, the favorite of Victorians, showcases the deep relief carved woman with pearls at her neck and grape leaves and grapes entwined in her hair set in a rolled gold frame. I was delighted with this find from Factory Antiques.

The rains had begun and it was time to head back to the car and home with our treasures. Statham is a lovely little community and a perfect day trip for future junk'in outings.

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