19th Century Cameo Brooch, Elegant Full Figure Image of Dancing Lady, Gold Fill Mount, Wire Twist orders Trim, Unsigned

This is a beautiful carved cameo pin or brooch that dates from the late 1800s. The piece has a full figure of an elegant lady in a gown or robe who appears to be dancing or otherwise cavorting, a scarf or veil swirling behind her. It's a great carving, with a wonderful suggestion of movement, quite different from most of the portrait cameos more commonly found.

The piece appears to be carved of shell, but it is mounted with a solid back, so it is difficult to say this with certainty. It is bezel set with a wire twist border. A heavy duty c-clasp and pin closure finish the piece, though it appears that the piece originally had 3 other connection points. It may have been part of another piece of jewelry at one point (perhaps a bracelet top), and then converted or salvaged as a brooch. The alteration appears to have been done near the turn of the century, and it was done well enough to last a few lifetimes.

The cameo itself measures just over 3/4" high and 5/8" wide: the outer edges of the brooch measure 1 1/8" by 7/8, with the pin extending beyond the edge by 1/8". Apart from the marks on the back from the old connections, the piece is in lovely orders condition, and an uncommon example of a Victorian era cameo.

When I purchased the piece, it still had a very old handwritten shop tag attached that read 'Gramma Jennie's brooch'. Sad to think that Jennie's family didn't keep her brooch, but I'm sure it will find a deserving and appreciative owner. This one is truly a beauty!