Cameo Jewelry

Around 1805, Italian carvers had began to use shell for their cameo jewelry. Shell was favored over stone because it was inexpensive and could be carved easily. Although shell cameos became increasingly popular in the Victorian era, they were considered for casual wear. Stone cameos, made of sardonyx or blue agate were accessories reserved for formal wear.

Mythical scenes depicting Roman gods, flowers, and women profiles were all very popular motifs. For Victorian women (1837-1901), the ultimate cameo would be one that bears a close likeness. Although many portraits were commissioned by notable figures, many cameos were also fashioned to appear as "anonymous" women. The portrait of an idealized, Victorian woman was very popular. Before the 1850s, the idealized women portrayed often had a Romanesque downward nose. After the 1850s, downward noses were out, and upward noses with upswept, curly hairstyles were in.

The cameo is not just a piece of antique jewelry, but an artwork. Consequently, throughout history cameos have adorned not only the necks and earlobes of women, but have had a niche in household items, such as dishes, and military accessories. Men wore cameos on breastplates, sword handles, and helmets. Napoleon was so taken with the art of the cameo, that he wore one at his wedding and founded a school in Paris dedicated to teach young artists in the cameo trade.