Unique Squash Blossom necklace

Hey, @Stracci @StevesTrail have either of you ever seen a SB necklace like this? I sure haven’t in all of my years of antiquing. Definitely looks to be a custom made piece. Imo, these aren’t quality carved shell cameos. From the 1950s?

11 Likes

OMG, that’s insane…
But I love it!
These are sometimes called '“pretty lady” cameos, because they aren’t depicting any Roman goddess in particular.
I think the cameos are 1930s-50s.
And clearly not the best carving. But as a whole, it’s stunning!

2 Likes

This one is confusing. I could not tell from the photo but the multiples look identical as if carved by machine. I haven’t seen Italian carved multiples of those quantities that are identical. But I can’t get close up from that photo so I’m still open on my assessment. You could do a pin test for shell vs resin.

Don’t pay a lot. Cameos, unless rare, are dead in the market.

3 Likes

That was going to be my question. I don’t know much about cameos but I’m assuming these are mass produced? How unusual for a squash blossom.

2 Likes

That’s my initial impression without a closeup examination and possible pin test. The Italian carvers were good, but exact duplicates, :thinking:

My thought: buy it for the silver and replace with turquoise. Better price it first. Might put it out of range unless you cab yourself.

2 Likes

Agreed, these cameos all look alike with the exception of the larger one centered on the naja. I have so many questions, lol. Sorry, I should’ve been more clear. I sourced the image from a NA jewelry site. IIRC, the poster had inherited the SB & was seeking info about it. Finely carved shell cameos are miniature works of art! It’s sad to me that they’ve fallen out-of-favor and probably won’t make a comeback any time soon.

Another unique one I just saw, available at Palms Trading (sorry to hijack vs creating another thread…). It is copper, which is also likely to skyrocket in price :frowning:


1 Like

I love this. It is stunning.
I have always wondered why there was not more Native made jewelry set in copper.

1 Like

Large hand carved Italian cameo of Mars & Venus in 14K gold (sorry for the overexposure).

6 Likes

@StevesTrail Oh, what a fabulous cameo! The carved details and quality are outstanding. Now, I want to go look at mine, lol. Thx for sharing.

1 Like

Must be a regional thing. We are seeing a strong cameo comeback in the Great Lakes area- mostly high quality set in kt gold. Those in the SB are hand carved, not truly identical, lesser quality, but better than some I’ve seen. Very unusual.

1 Like

Since we’re discussing cameos, I gotta show this favorite of mine. I found her at the antique mall.
Possibly Juno.

13 Likes

That is beautiful. One of the more detailed cameos I have seen.

3 Likes

@nanc9354 Isn’t she divine? I just love her.
Every time I wear her (usually as a pendant), I get comments.

3 Likes

That’s a beaut @Stracci . Is it a stone cameo? Looks like sardonyx.

1 Like

My mom loved to buy cameos. I don’t think I have ever seen any this detailed.

1 Like

Could you please give some help with these one, I’m interested in buying it but I’m not sure if pieces like this are modificated or this can be consider just rare?


I love the copper trend in native jewelry. It’s a valuable metal too so not surprising to see the price of native pretties made with copper trending up.

2 Likes

It is shell. The background shade is rather dark.
I’m still keeping an eye out for a hard stone cameo, though.

2 Likes

we had a family heirloom cameo ring that was my paternal grandmother’s. She was born in the 1890s. All the girls in the family wore it on their wedding day, but it was stolen in a home burglary when i was in college, along with some other oddly specific Anheuser memorabilia, a gold pocket watch, and other pieces from my mother’s jewelry box, but not the whole box/contents. The shell cameo had a tiny diamond inlaid in her hairdo. :frowning: I’ve been looking for one off and on for a long time.

7 Likes