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Cameo Pendants

From profile portraits to charming vignettes, cameo pendants come with a comprehensive past. The cameo got its start in the ancient world, with examples dating to the eras of ancient Egypt and Rome. These earliest pieces were what is known as hardstone cameos, meaning they were carved from a stone such as agate. This provided the organic color striations for which a cameo is known.

In the 18th century, the popularity of the cameo, combined with the expensive production of the hardstone version, resulted in innovative alterations of technique. It was around this time that artists began carving cameos out of coral and shell, both of which were softer and thus easier to manipulate. Another approach, instigated by Scottish artist James Tassie, was to create plaster casts of hard stone cameos and then reproduce them in pressed glass plates.

By the 19th century, the cameo had exploded across fields, and it continued its steady stream of popularity into the 20th century, with cameos becoming a fashion statement in the post-war years.


Quick Facts

  • The oldest record cameo piece dates to ancient Egypt. Uncovered in Alexandria, the hardstone (agate) cameo was reportedly carved in the 3rd century B.C.
  • 19th-century French Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon I, was rumored to wear a shell cameo necklace everyday. Soon after, England’s Queen Victoria also began sporting one on a regular basis
  • American Regionalist Grant Wood featured a cameo necklace on the neck of the woman in his iconic early 20th century painting “American Gothic” (1930); a few years later, actress Vivien Leigh brought cameos to the silver screen in the large brooch she wore in “Gone with the Wind” (1938)

Recommended Items at Auction

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CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 19, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$124 Bids
Two Yellow Gold Pendants
Nov 06, 9:00 AM PST
Two Yellow Gold Pendants
by Abell Auction
Est: $200- $400
$2004 Bids
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 16, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$62 Bids
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 16, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$52 Bids
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 17, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$62 Bids
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 16, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 16, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 16, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 16, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 16, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHONS ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 17, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 17, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 17, 1:00 PM CST
CAMEO CABOCHON ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
VAN DELL 12KGF CAMEO SET
Nov 06, 10:00 AM EST
VAN DELL 12KGF CAMEO SET
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $50- $100
$101 Bid
(16) LOOSE CAMEOS
Nov 06, 10:00 AM EST
(16) LOOSE CAMEOS
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $40- $80
$101 Bid
Three Carved Shell Cameos
Nov 07, 2:00 PM EST
Three Carved Shell Cameos
by Waddington's
Est: $380- $550
$3401 Bid
14k Yellow Gold Brooch/Pendant
Nov 07, 2:00 PM EST
14k Yellow Gold Brooch/Pendant
by Waddington's
Est: $600- $800
$5501 Bid
Cameo Carved Stone
Nov 07, 10:00 AM EST
Cameo Carved Stone
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$11 Bid
Antique Grand Tour Red Intaglio Framed Collection
Nov 20, 11:00 AM EST
Antique Grand Tour Red Intaglio Framed Collection
by Hill Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $1,000
$501 Bid
RARE AND UNUSUAL ANTIQUE 27 CAMEO NECKLACE
Nov 07, 4:00 PM GMT
RARE AND UNUSUAL ANTIQUE 27 CAMEO NECKLACE
by Etrusca Auction
Est: £3,000- £6,000
£1,5001 Bid
Art Deco Moonstone Double Portrait Cameo
Nov 14, 10:00 AM EST
Art Deco Moonstone Double Portrait Cameo
by New England Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,800
$1001 Bid
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JEWELRY. 13kt Gold Mounted Carved Cameo Pendant
Nov 03, 10:00 AM EDT
JEWELRY. 13kt Gold Mounted Carved Cameo Pendant
by Clarke Auction Gallery
Est: $500- $700
$2501 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Cameo Pendants


Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer

Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer

Weatherham Estate Treasures

Weatherham Estate Treasures

Kodner Galleries

Kodner Galleries

Kendzia

Kendzia