Cameo Information Archives - Antique Cameos

Amber

Antique Cameos — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 08:13:09 +0000

Amber has been used as jewelry since the Stone Age, from 13,000 years ago. Amber ornaments have been found in Mycenaean tombs and elsewhere across Europe. Reference: Wikipedia. It is a material made from fossilized tree resin and the most desirable ones are those that contain insects or tiny animals such as reptiles. Amber has also been used for cameos and intaglios.

Below are some examples and price guides of amber cameos including an Italian reverse cameo pin and a beaded cameo necklace.

An Italian antique style 18k gold and amber reverse carved cameo pin. Features a cabochon carved amber cameo depicting the profile of a young female figure with flowing hair and flower, measuring approximately 30mm x 22mm, set in an ornate and elaborately framed 18k yellow gold mount, featuring a top bale measuring 5mm. Marked MADE IN ITALY ROMA 750. Total approximate weight 13 grams.

Sold for US$325 at Hill Auction Gallery in 2023

Vintage 14Kt White Gold Cameo, Diamond, Emerald & Amber Beaded Necklace. Measures approx. – 18″ long. Weight approx. – 23.7 dwt.

Sold for US$550 at Antiques & Art International in 2023

Intaglio cut amber fairy pendant with silver mount and center diamond, in original box marked Zlatarna, Roberto-Studio, Dubrovnik. Size: 2 x 1.5 in.

Sold for US$100 at Americana Auctions in 2023

An Ancient 18K Gold and Amber Intaglio Ring

Hand carved ring with flowing filigree designs, containing one oval shape carved Amber intaglio measuring 24.5 x 18 mm and depicting a Classical Greco-Roman scene of a man and woman in a romantic scene. Weight: 8.3 grams
Ring Size: 7.5 Condition: Overall very good condition.

Sold for US$550 at Alma in 2023

Classical Style Gold Ring Set with Amber Intaglio Ibex or Gazelle

approximate ring size 6-1/2, testing at least 22K.

Sold for US$750 at Leland Little in 2023

The post Amber appeared first on Antique Cameos.

Muller Freres Table Lamps

Antique Cameos — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 10:20:06 +0000

Muller Freres table lamps are beautiful and highly sought after. They come in a variety of different shapes and colors and can include figural lamps as well.

Below are some examples and price guides of Muller Freres table lamps including a scenic lamp from the 1920s and a pair of parrot form lamps.

Muller Frères and Richard
Art Deco table lamp, circa 1925
Iron base, the stem modelled as a horse-chestnut branch, with mottled glass shade.
32.2cm high
Shade signed Muller Fres Luneville, the base stamped Richard.

Sold for £535.50 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

MULLER FRÈRES
Scenic Table Lamp, circa 1920

overlaid and etched glass, bronze mount
The domed shade and baluster base with a frosted mottled grey ground overlaid in teal and brown, etched to depict a landscape scene of the forest, lake and mountains, the shade with cameo signature MULLER FRÈRES LUNEVILLE, the base with cameo signature MULLER FRÈRES LUNEVILLE, also with paper label No.90h2 and embossed label SANTIAGO VAL PARAISO CASA WEIL PARIS to the underside

261⁄2 in. (67.3 cm.) high, 113⁄4 in. (29.8 cm.) diameter (the shade)

Sold for USD 12,600 at Christie’s in 2023

Pair of Muller Frères Art Deco Iron and Glass Parrot-Form Table Lamps
Circa 1930
Each fashioned as a wrought iron parrot on a perch holding a lantern with orange orb-form globe shade from it’s beak, iron frame unsigned, each shade etched Muller Fres Luneville. Height 22 inches.

Sold for $10,625 at Doyle in 2022

Muller Freres Art Glass Signed French Art Deco Wrought Iron Table Lamp
French wrought iron art nouveau art deco table lamp with signed Muller Freres shade. Lamp having a hammered wrought iron base supporting a triangular frame with foliate motif and one socket. The Muller Freres shade in yellow and blue, is marked to the exterior.
17 3/4″ high x 8 3/4″ wide x 7″ diameter at base . Shade – 6″ high x 3 5/8″ square.

Sold for US$450 at Collective Hudson in 2023

Muller Freres Luneville, France, 1920 ca

A glass table lamp with a cammeo and enamel decor and a forged iron frame. Embossed signature. Missing one screw, diametro del cappello cm 16, altezza cm 39

Sold for €2,400 at Cambi Casa D’Aste in 2023

The post Muller Freres Table Lamps appeared first on Antique Cameos.

Tulips

Antique Cameos — Thu, 11 May 2023 15:01:25 +0000

Tulips are beautiful flowers which look beautiful in cameos and cameo glass. They were at the height of fashion during the Art Nouveau era and glass makers such as Galle and Tiffany incorporated them into some of their glassware items.

Below are some examples and price guides of cameo glass items depicting tulips including a Galle vase and a Tiffany Studios vase.

Gallé
Large tulip vase, 1920-1936
Cameo glass.
51cm high
Signed in cameo Gallé.

Sold for £3,187.50 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

An Art Nouveau antique style table lamp, produced in the style of Emile Galle. Matte cameo glass in light green, yellow, and white with tulip flower relief. Bears raised pseudo makers mark on shade.

Sold for US$275 at Hill Auction Gallery in 2023

Tiffany Studios
Cameo vase with tulip petals

USA, c. 1906
hand-blown and wheel-carved Favrile glass
4.75 h x 3.75 dia in (12 x 10 cm)

Etched signature and number to underside ‘L.C. Tiffany – Favrile 4194 A’.

Sold for US$3,800 at Rago Arts and Auction Center in 2023

Daum Nancy textured yellow to orange mottled glass decorated with gilt highlighted stemmed red tulips, signed Daum Nancy, 5 1/2″ ht.

Sold for US$1,900 at Jaremos in 2022

Emile Galle
(French, 1846€“1904)
Tulip Vase, c. 1920-30s
acid-etched cameo glass
signed in cameo
H 17 3/4 x Diameter 5 inches.

Sold for US$1,100 at Hindman in 2022

The post Tulips appeared first on Antique Cameos.

Butterfly Cameos

Antique Cameos — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 09:22:31 +0000

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

The post Butterfly Cameos appeared first on Antique Cameos.

Acid-etched Cameo Glass

Antique Cameos — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 13:29:42 +0000

When manufacturing acid-etched cameo glass, all of the top layer except the areas needed for the design are usually removed by an etching process—the figure areas are covered with a resist layer of wax or some other acid-resistant material such as bituminous paint, and the blank repeatedly dipped in hydrofluoric acid, so that cameo glass is in some sense a sub-set of acid-etched glass. The detailed work is then done with wheels and drills, before finishing, and usually polishing. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are examples and price guides to acid-etched cameo glass items including a Daum Freres Vase and a Galle table lamp.

DAUM FRERES (FOUNDED 1878)
Solifleur Vase
circa 1900
internally decorated, overlaid and acid etched glass, the surfaces with martele wheel carving, cameo mark ‘DAUM NANCY’ with the Cross of Lorraine
height 10in (25.3cm); diameter 2 1/2in (6cm)

Sold for US$5,100 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

A THOMAS WEBB & SONS CAMEO GLASS VASE
CIRCA 1900, ACID ETCHED THOMAS WEBB & SONS CAMEO MARK
Acid-etched with intricate scrolling flowers and foliage, the yellow glass wall overlaid in opaque white with a stalk of cinquefoil flowers, the reverse with a butterfly
10 ¼ in. (26 cm.) high

Sold for USD 3,000 at Christie’s in 2018

Le Verre Francais Acid-Etched Cameo Glass Vase
Circa 1928
Height 22 inches.

Sold for $1,764 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022

Large Legras French acid etched 2-color cameo glass 26 inch vase, circa 1900. Yellow-green ground with overlaid blue to rim and base. Beautiful opalescent base with modeled internal streaks to the top. Cherry blossom design with brown enameled branches, green enameled leaves, and yellow and orange enameled highlights to center of flowers. Polished pontil. Legras signed in cameo to lower edge.
Weight Approx., 15 lbs
Measures Approx., 8.5 inches diameter of base x 26 inches tall

Sold for US$1,600 at Taylor & Harris in 2022

Émile Gallé Table Lamp circa 1900

Acid-etched cameo glass, silver base and shade each signed Gallé with French silver hallmark

20 in. (50.8 cm) high

9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm) diameter of shade

Sold for 11,340 USD at Sotheby’s in 2022

The post Acid-etched Cameo Glass appeared first on Antique Cameos.

Chinese Cameo Glass

Antique Cameos — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 07:18:22 +0000

Chinese cameo glass has been produced since the 18th century. It appears to be more chunky than European cameo glass and often incorporates Chinese symbolic motifs such as butterflies and bats. Chrysanthemums are also a popular design in Chinese art.

Below are some examples of Chinese cameo glass including a small white vase overlaid with blue bats and an Imperial red and white double-gourd vase.

This small opaque, white, glass vase is decorated with overlaid blue glass bats. Bats are a visual pun for happiness and five bats are a visual pun for the Five Happinesses ‘wufu’ – wishes for wealth, health, longevity, a virtuous life and a natural death in old age

Reference: The British Museum.

An Imperial Red Overlay Glass double-gourd Bottle vase
Qianlong four-character Mark in a square and of the Period, Beijing Palace Workshops
The semi-transparent dark red overlay beautifully carved with a scrolling double-gourd vine with five-petalled flower-heads and simple leaves that rises from a small pierced rockwork to one side of the lower gourd and gently follows an anti-clockwise motion around the lower gourd, finally rising upward and continuing in the same direction around the upper gourd, a band of overlay at the rim, on a short circular red-overlay foot ring, the white glass base with a double-squared Imperial mark.

Sold for US$100,312.50 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

A PAIR OF 19TH CENTURY CHINESE BULBOUS CAMEO GLASS VASES bearing four-character Qing dynasty mark to the bases. Each with overlaid designs of birds amidst scrolling prunus blossom sprays and chrysanthemum flower heads 16cm high

Sold for £1,500 at Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers in 2020

The post Chinese Cameo Glass appeared first on Antique Cameos.

Agate Semi-precious Gemstone

Antique Cameos — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 16:27:56 +0000

Information on agate including it’s use in cameo carving. Agate is one of the most common materials used in the art of hardstone carving, and has been recovered at a number of ancient sites, indicating its widespread use in the ancient world, for example, archaeological recovery at the Knossos site on Crete illustrates its role in Bronze Age Minoan culture.

The post Agate Semi-precious Gemstone appeared first on Antique Cameos.

Overlaid Cameo Glass

Antique Cameos — Mon, 20 May 2019 08:12:53 +0000

Overlaid Cameo Glass. The term overlaid cameo glass relates to the technique of layering two or more layers of glass and carving through the fused layers of different colored glass to produce designs, usually with white opaque glass figures and motifs on a dark-colored background. See also Cameo Glass

The post Overlaid Cameo Glass appeared first on Antique Cameos.

Cows in Cameos and Intaglios

Antique Cameos — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 11:49:20 +0000

Information and gallery of cows in cameos and intaglios. Cows have been regarded as sacred animals in some cultures for centuries. They have also been regarded highly for centuries as food providers. Many ancient civilizations would depict cows in art work including cameos and intaglios.

The post Cows in Cameos and Intaglios appeared first on Antique Cameos.

Socrates Cameos

Antique Cameos — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 07:55:33 +0000

Information on Socrates and Socrates cameos. Socrates, 470/69-399 BC, is credited as the father of modern Western philosophy. He was an Athenian citizen who devoted his life to philosophy but because he did not write anything, he is also an elusive historical figure. What we know about his life, his conversations, his beliefs (virtue in knowledge, self-awareness, etc), even his satyr-like looks, is from the subjective writings of his pupils Plato and Xenophon and the dramatist Aristophanes. Surviving classical portraits were probably rendered after his death. His image was worn by his followers and was later a popular subject in Roman, Renaissance and neo-Classical cameos whereby the wearer demonstrated his taste and refinement by his knowledge of ancient Greek culture. Reference: Bonhams

His method of enquiry was to enter into a penetrating discussion with his companions, questioning the nature of knowledge itself in pursuit of absolute truths. Socrates himself wrote nothing, but versions of his conversations are recorded in the written works of his pupils Plato and Xenophon. Socrates’ pursuit of true knowledge brought him into conflict with the piety laws of his native Athens, where his eventual prosecution led to enforced suicide by drinking hemlock. Reference: The British Museum

The post Socrates Cameos appeared first on Antique Cameos.