Hi Tam, I returned to our lovely cameo maiden in this post as we can see her face on the front. I love the patina of the silver on these pieces.
I would date them circa. 1895 - 1910. This period was known as the Art Nouveau era in which the female figure and face reigned supreme. I especially admire the "feminine" the artist has captured in the free- flowing style that was a hallmark of the art nouveau, in contrast with her handsome Greco-roman profile. Can you see her straight roman nose and the strength of face. This is what I love in a cameo. I really, really like this piece. The silver, not usual for cameos and the contrast of the feminine and the strong. Coco Chanel, who appeared on the scene not long after, would have loved it.
Thank you for sharing!
Yvonne Hammouda-Eyre
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Neillo Work? by: Tammy
hello:) thank you for your response, I was wondering how i could tell if it is tarnish. I have taken these pieces to jewelry shops, and antique shops, but nobody knows. they can't even tell me where they may have come from, what year they may have been made, or even how much they could be of value.
I am so excited to have found your site, and i was wondering if you could please tell me these things. And what you think and if its neillo or not? thank you so much:) I have sent another picture with the earings that was with them. thank you
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Tarnish on Silver by: Katie
Tammy are you sure its tarnish?
I love old Neillo work, which is getting harder and harder to find in good condition. Niello is an inlay they used in decorating black on silver (not very often found on gold). Sometimes Neillo decoration on antique silver jewelry can be mistaken for tarnish. Neillo involves powdered black mate alloy made of metal sulfides that are fused into the recessions of the design. Neillo decoration is a very old technique and can even be found on BRONZE AGE Jewelry!
Neillo has been used in India and Islamic countries and also Russia where it is called TULA WORK. Dutch engravers worked with Neillo during the 16th and 17th centuries by applying the black enamel as a BACKGROUND. France revived the technique in the 19th century.
If I were you Tammy, I'd make sure it's black TARNISH on your silver and not black Neillo before you clean it.
Katie
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Antique Brooch Questions by: Anonymous
Hi Tammy thank you for writing in. What a beautiful antique piece! Questions for you: 1. Are there any markings at all anywhere on the piece that you can see? Examine the back with a jewelers loupe or magnifying glass, if you don't have a jewelry loupe. 2. Is that traces of black enamel I can see in some of the depressions? 3. Are you able to send in another photo of the back? I will have a clearer idea of the date then.
