Comprising an oval shell cameo brooch, carved to depict Zeus, the Greek King of Olympus, and Hera, the Queen of Olympus, to scalloped wirework frame, an oval shell cameo brooch, carved to depict St Agnes, seated with lamb at her lap, to scroll engraved mount, two further oval shell cameo brooches, and a floral spray cameo brooch, of elongated oval outline, with scroll decorated frame, first brooch length 6.2cm.
What is a Cameo
A cameo is a carved miniature which is often used in jewellery making.
Cameo Brooches
Brooches are one of the commonest ways in which a cameo is used. The cameo can be carved in many different materials such as gemstones, lava or shell. In modern costume jewellery, resin is often used and sometimes this can be mistaken for shell cameos.
Cameo carvings can be either in relief or intaglio.
Relief Cameos
Relief cameos are the most commonly found cameos in brooches. In these cameos the carving is raised and is often in a contrasting colour or material.
Intaglio Cameos
Intaglios are not technically a cameo but are known as an Intaglio in their own right. Intaglios are more commonly found in seals and rings than in brooches. In rings they often had a duel purpose as both a ring and a seal.
Intaglios are often carved in gemstones such as amethysts or carnelian.
Mythological Figures in Cameos
Many cameo brooches often depict classical figures such as Minvera, the God of War or Diana the huntress. Diana can often be recognised by the moon crescent in her hair. Other mythical creatures such as angels are often found carved in cameos.
| God / Goddess | Description | Image |
| Apollo | Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother of Artemis. He lived in Greece. He was the god of healing and medicine, and of music and poetry. He was the leader of the Muses. He also was a god of prophecy, and his Oracle at Delphi was very important. He also was the god of justice. During the 5th century BC, Apollo became also known as the god of the sun, becoming one with the god Helios, and getting the name Phoebus. He is shown as a young man, wearing a laurel wreath and playing the kithara (lyre). It was known as his symbol. His other symbols included the raven. Some times he is known as the god of fire but this title is also given toVulcan or ephaestus. |
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| Diana | Goddess of the moon and hunting. Often depicted in cameos with a crescent moon in her hair, bow and arrow and sometimes with a deer. The image on the right shows a Victorian shell cameo brooch, circa 1880, the oval panel carved with the relief of Diana with bow in hand after releasing an arrow, above a hound leaping from a clouded ground, in a gold scrolled setting, 6.4cm long. It sold for £320 at Dreweatts Donnington Priory |  |
| Hercules | Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek divine hero Heracles, who was the son of Zeus (Roman equivalent Jupiter) and the mortal Alcmene. Hercules is famous for his strength. Hercules is also known for the “Twelve Labours”, the first being to slay the Nemean Lion. Cameos depicting Hercules often show the head wrapped in lion skin. |
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