Among my grandmother’s costume jewelry of pearls, pins and clip-on earrings (she was mortified when I got my ears pierced in junior high), I found a bank envelope folded over, rubber banded, with “Cameo” written on it in her cursive writing. It is a different motif than we are accustomed to seeing, which is a bust of a woman in profile. My nana’s cameo is a scene that includes a woman, a sheep, two structures and a tree, which sounds like the beginning of a joke.
I did some research which resulted in finding a jeweler in my area who had been trained by a cameo expert. What luck! Upon receiving the photos I sent her, she was able to provide some information about the oval brooch. In general, most cameos were carved in Italy. Writing etched on the back indicates a master carved it, as only masters are permitted to sign. If flat versus dimensional, it is a reproduction. Portraits tend to be more profitable but not more popular.
As for my grandmother’s, the jeweler identified it as a shell carving from the Victorian era. She went on to explain that other than sentimental, nana’s cameo has no value. I find it a beautiful work of art; with its raised elevation, I am able to feel it in person, then look at it via an enlarged photo on my iPad. I purchased a special display box and stand for the cameo, it resides on my dresser, next to my own jewelry box. It may not be worth any money, but it means the world to me.
The jeweler suggested I search the web for “Mythological Scenic Cameo Carving”, which I did. I was able to find similar depictions but none that match my grandmother’s exactly. That’s only fitting. My nana was one of a kind.
#sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheart #legallyblindwriter #nanascameoappearance
