{"product_id":"antique-carved-shell-cameo-brooch-depicting-a-classical-female-profile-portrait","title":"Vintage Carved Shell Cameo Brooch, Classical Female Portrait, Plain Gold-Tone Bezel Setting, Prong-Set, Unmarked, Mid Century Italian Style","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarved by hand. The tool marks are still there if you look.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA vintage carved shell cameo brooch in a plain gold-tone bezel setting: the cameo a genuine hand-carved shell in warm cream-honey tones, the relief portrait carved from the upper layer of the shell against the softer ground beneath. This is a single-tone shell rather than the strongly contrasting two-layer type, giving the piece a quieter, more muted warmth. The carving is the point: a classical female portrait facing right, hair elaborately dressed with tight curls or ringlets piled at the crown, the bust draped in a classical garment. The tool marks are clean and deliberate, the face and neck well defined, the drapery lines precise. This is hand-carved Italian shell cameo work at a quality consistent with mid to late 20th century production.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe setting is a plain oval gold-tone bezel with a flat polished rim and four small prong tabs securing the cameo at the corners — minimal and unfussy, keeping the focus on the carving rather than the mount. The reverse carries a crossed-bar brooch fitting with a rolled-pin and simple catch mechanism, intact and functional. No hallmarks. Unmarked throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Particulars:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Genuine hand-carved shell cameo brooch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCameo: Single-tone carved shell; warm cream-honey; classical female portrait facing right; ringlet crown hair; draped bust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetting: Plain oval gold-tone bezel; flat polished rim; four prong tabs; open back\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFitting: Crossed-bar brooch fitting to reverse; rolled-pin and catch; intact and functional\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Very good. Shell clean, no chips or cracks visible; carving crisp; setting and fitting intact. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod: Mid to late 20th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: Likely Italian\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: Unmarked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSomeone carved this from a shell with small tools and patience. It has lasted. It will last longer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArrives carefully wrapped as a vault relic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vaen’kai Vault","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54934059221331,"sku":"VKVBR-028","price":78.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1085\/2771\/4643\/files\/DSC_7636.jpg?v=1789324336","url":"https:\/\/vaenkaivault.com\/products\/antique-carved-shell-cameo-brooch-depicting-a-classical-female-profile-portrait","provider":"Vaen’kai Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}