I just saw one 2 days ago... Do you still have this cameo?
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Possibly Greek Mythology with a Twist by: Anonymous
Kate
thanks for writing in. Antique Cameos like yours are often the subject for Greek Mythology. Kate, have you heard of the Greek myth about Icarus? Icarus was the son of DAEDALUS who tried to escape Crete on wings made by his father, but flew so near the sun that the wax attaching his wings melted and he...err..fell into the Aegean Sea!
Bats fly at night, so no risk of the sun melting this feather, whether it's ostrich or peacock, the boy's holding triumphantly in the air as he rides on the back of the bat through the air.
An expert would need to examine the cameo in person to determine the material.
Best Wishes, Yvonne
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Ostrich Feather? by: Jo-anne
Hi Kate
thanks so much for posting the pics. It really is an amazing antique cameo! Just looking at that large sweeping curled feather, do you think it could be an ostrich feather? These feathers were at the hight of popularity in the late 19th c - early 20th c. I believe the feathers came from the Little Karoo in South Africa where ostrich farming was at its height and the new "gold" export. They were exported all over Europe. They were in high demand. The ostrich feather industry was short lived however and died out at the beginning of the first world war.
I've never seen anything like your cameo Kate. Its intriguing. I would imagine it would be quite valuable. Jo-anne
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Peacock Feather Cameo by: Lana
Dear Kate, what an unusual cameo - all of these motifs, I mean the boy, a peacock feather and the boy riding on the back of a bat are not what you commonly see on a cameo - that's for sure. Kate, may we ask how long you have had it? And how you acquired it? Also curious to know how you know it is a Peacock's feather ? Is it because of the pattern of the banding on the cameo material matchers the peacock feather pattern or something else?
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Original Cameo Subject by: Anonymous
Kate
Congratulations! It sounds like you have one very original cameo Kate, no matter what it's made from!
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Bat Animal Totem by: Jo-anne
Hi Kate
what an unusual cameo subject. Bat, peacock feather and boy riding bat. For what it's worth, the bat is not only the totem animal of the men of a New South Wales, Australian Aboriginal tribe but apparently also their sex symbol. Any ideas about the age of your cameo? The color would be interesting to know, and any idea what's it made from? More info will be great Kate,
