Butterfly Cameos. Butterflies have often been depicted in cameo glass items and in jewelry cameos. Some of these are exceptionally beautiful and can fetch high prices especially if made by makers such as Thomas Webb. Vases are probably the most common item but there are also some exceptional items such as boxes and inkwells.
Below are some examples and price guides of antique butterfly cameos including a Galle lamp and a Thomas Webb silver mounted inkwell.
Gallé Metal-Mounted Acid-Etched Cameo Glass Table Lamp
Circa 1910
With a conical domed shade and slender vasiform stem in brown colored glass cased over salmon, green and colorless glass, decorated with a landscape design base and butterfly and cloud designed shade, shade signed in cameo and base with engraved signature. Height overall 27 inches; height of shade 7 1/2 inches, diameter 12 inches.
Sold for $6,450 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022
A LARGE CAMEO GLASS VASE
A Thomas Webb silver mounted ‘rock crystal’ cameo glass ink well
early 20th century
The cameo floral panels against a dotted ground interspaced by clear panels of floral sprays and butterflies, etched factory mark.
height 4 1/8in (10.5cm); diameter 3 3/4in (9.5cm)
Sold for US$1,400 at Andrew Jones Auctions in 2022
English cameo glass vase. Squatty form Prussian Blue cameo vase decorated with a random vine with a blooming flower and teasing butterfly, 7″ ht. CONDITION: Good with no defects found.
Sold for US$550 at Jaremos in 2022
Rare Stuart & Sons Cut Glass and Cameo Perfume Bottle.
English, late 19th century, of ovoid form, having all over cut hobnail pattern, sunburst to base, centered with cut cameo white over pink, foxgloves and butterfly, English silver cap, marks for Sampson & Mordan Co., London, 1888, .925 fine, 5-3/4 in.
Sold for US$1,600 at Brunk Auctions in 2022
Paul Nicolas for d’Argental, a cameo glass lily and butterfly box and cover, circa 1900, ovoid egg form, carved red over yellow amber, polished and frosted, signed in cameo d’Argental, 13cm high
Sold for £450 at Kinghams Auctioneers in 2022
Large Antique 19th Century 14kt Gold Cameo of Psyche. Hand carved large scale natural shell mythological cameo of the Goddess Psyche with her butterfly. Cameo is very finely carved with immense detail and deep relief. Likely a Grand Tour item purchased in Italy. Held in a 14kt gold frame. Measures just over 2.5 inches by just over 2 inches.
Sold for US$300 at Greenwich Auction in 2021
