Victorian Carved Shell Cameo Brooch

No well-to-do Victorian lady's wardrobe was complete without some type of cameo, an accessory which was popularised when wealthy English people brought them home from Italy as souvenirs of their "Grand Tour", particularly once they became a staple of Queen Victoria's dress.

This 19th century cameo brooch is a lovely example where the shell has been deeply carved to depict a classical figure with the top, darker, surface of the shell remaining in places to create decorative elements in the hair.

SIZE: Approximately 2 x 2.5cm.

WEIGHT: 5.0g.

MATERIALS: Carved shell. The pin and clasp test as nine-carat gold, while we believe the rest of the mount to be pinchbeck - a gold substitute, now collectible in its own right, originally made to a secret formula devised by Christopher Pinchbeck in the early 18th century. It is an alloy of copper and zinc, like brass, but uses much more copper and less zinc than brass. Although pinchbeck can tarnish over time it does not wear in the same way as other materials such as gold plating or rolled gold. You don’t often find pinchbeck items made after about 1840 - as nine-carat gold became legal, enabling people to buy less expensive gold jewellery, and electro-gilding was invented (a kind of gold plate), pinchbeck fell by the wayside.

HALLMARKS/STAMPS: None found.

CONDITION: The brooch is in excellent antique condition, with a newer secure rollover clasp at the back.

ERA: Estimated Victorian (c.1837-1901).

Antique and vintage boxes photographed are for display only and are not included unless stated in the description.

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