Antique Vintage Art Deco 14k White Gold Diamond Carved Cameo Pin Brooch Pendant
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Antique Vintage Art Deco 14k White Gold Diamond Carved Cameo Pin Brooch Pendant:
$152.50
We have similar Cameo and White gold items, which would pair nicely this piece, up for sale this week.To view these items in separate listings, please visit our store and search \"Cameo\" or \"White Gold\" under our sale items.
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The Piece
sale Estimate: $700 - $1,000
Age Circa:Art Deco C. 1920 - 1940
Markings: 14k on the pin catch,Tested, and Guaranteed
Country of Origin:Unknown
Brand:Unknown
Gram Weight: 8.9Grams
Metal Type: 14k White Gold
Metal Melt Value: $225.00 (Value All-Inclusive Weight)
Material:Conch Shell
Main Stone:Old European Cut Diamond
Main Stone Measurements/Color: 0.02 Carats, Sparkly and eye clean
Accent Stone:--
Accent Stone Measurements/Color:--
Stone Treatment:The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts: Old European Cut Diamond
Item Measurements:The pendant measures 1.5\" long, 1.2\" wide and 0.27\" in depth.
Closure/Clasp Type: Swivel Jump Ring Bale, Pin Stem with Locking \"C\" Clasp
Link Type: --
Pendant Type: Convertible Pin Brooch Pendant
Notable Features: This pendant was handmade during the Art Deco era. The pendant is composed of 14k white gold filigree and features a hand-carved conch shell cameo of a Greek female figure, with a silver and diamond necklace. This gorgeous cameo was most likely made in Italy and acquired on a Grand tour vacation. This traditional holiday was an opportunity for wealthy European travelers to learn more about other countries and cultures, and would often last months or even years. Often, stones or items would be purchased as a memento from the trip and made into custom pieces of jewelry, like this cameo pendant.
The background of the piece is the conch shell, with a natural and organic orange hue, with the white part of the shell carved into an intricate female figure. The beautiful Greek woman appears in profile, her long hair tied up and adorned with carved flower and leaves, which have orange tips from the natural conch hues. Her chest is also adorned with hand-carved flowers and the top of her peplos. The carved conch shell has a luminous effect in the light, and the carved details on the shell are impressive.
A rare element to this piece is the shimmering necklace which the woman is wearing. Made from twisted sterling silver, the center of the necklace has one sparkly and eye clean Old European cut diamond. This necklace and the dazzling diamond provide a whimsical feel to the elegant and sophisticated cameo.
The shell rests in a thick white gold bezel, which holds the carving securely and prevents breakage. Surrounding the cameo is a white gold filigree design, which consists of rope twists and applied leaf accents. Completing the piece is a swivel jump ring bale as well as a pin stem with a locking \"c\" clasp, making it possible to wear the jewelry in a variety of ways. This Grand Tour cameo pendant comes together with remarkable craftsmanship and quality elements. Don\'t miss your chance to own this piece of cultural history.
Damage: Age appropriate wear.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*The History
The Art Deco era is famous for being the \"Gatsby\" or \"Roaring Twenties\" era. A lot of gorgeous and timeless designs in jewelry came out of this period. Jewelry from this period was most often crafted between 1920 and 1940. Art Deco jewelry sometimes featured white gold or platinum, geometric designs, European cut diamonds, filigree, and calibre cut stones that are specifically cut to fit the design of the piece. During the Art Deco period jewelers often made jewelry upon custom order, this would often take weeks to months to completely craft by hand.
The Grand Tour was the standard European vacation of the Georgian and Victorian eras. The opportunity gave for studying culture, architecture and art made it a tradition, especially for the upper classes. The Grand Tour was popularized by the poet Lord Byron and the writer Mary Shelley, who was the author of Frankenstein. The Grand Tour was an opportunity for wealthy travelers to explore the world and experience different cultures over a 2 to 4-year period. And what better memento of this long trip than pieces of native souvenir jewelry such as Italian cameos, mosaic, and pietra dura. Pieces often had historical inspirations from the remnants of Pompeii to the pyramids of Egypt. Cultural learning was a focal point of the grand tour and the process of remembrance spilled over into jewelry souvenirs.
Filigree metalworking is a delicate form of art and has been found as early as 3,000 BC in Mesopotamia. It was perfected by the Phoenicians and Etruscan civilizations between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC. It involves stamping out a design in metal and hand bending and twirling threads, combined with tiny beads, until a final motif emerges. It is reminiscent of lace and considered one of the most difficult metalworking processes. Filigree is still a very popular technique in India and Asia.
A cameo is an image that has been carved in raised relief by cutting away the background of different materials to create a contrast in height and color. The earliest examples of cameos date back to the 3rd century BC. In antiquity, this was achieved by carving into a single piece of banded agate to reveal the layers of colors, but now it is much more common that cameos are made of two different materials. The most common form of fine jewelry cameo is created by layering a carved white shell on top of a stone of contrasting color with a flat plane. Cameos usually depict a beautiful or famous person in profile, or a mythological figure. The Romans were true artisans when it came to creating these pieces, so there are many Roman cultural influences found in cameos, even to this day. These are true miniature art works.
Diamond is derived from the Greek word, “adamas,” which means “unbreakable.” Diamonds are extremely rare, with the earliest diamonds being discovered in India around the 4th century BC and being traded along the Silk Road; the trade route between India and China. During the latter half of the 18th century, diamonds were discovered in South Africa. Diamonds are renowned for their strength and brilliance of color and ability to reflect and disperse light. This is what gives them such a brilliant sparkle. Colors range in blue, yellow, brown, green, purple, pink, orange, and red; the less color a diamond has, the higher its grade is. Diamonds range from 1 billion to 3.5 billion years old, and because of their age and qualities, have become the symbol for love across many cultures.
The Old European Cut was the last type of diamond to be cut completely by hand. It was the successor of the Old Mine Cut diamond and the predecessor of the modern round brilliant cut. The Old European Cut was very popular during the Edwardian and Art Deco eras. It is round and has a high crown and more facets than previous cuts, giving these stones a high sparkle. These diamonds are very rare today, as most were re-purposed, and cut into more modern shapes.
- Gold: $8.00 + $1.00 per additional gold item & silver items combine for free
- Silver: $4.00 + $1.00 per additional gold item & silver items combine for free
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Antique Vintage Art Deco 14k White Gold Diamond Carved Cameo Pin Brooch Pendant:
$152.50