Bidspirit auction | Vintage Carved Shell Cameo Brooch

Vintage Carved Shell Cameo Brooch with Scalloped Metal Frame - An oval cameo brooch featuring a hand-carved shell profile of a woman facing right. The subject is depicted with her hair in a wavy updo and wearing a draped, classicizing garment. The carved white figure is set against a natural light brown shell background. The cameo is held in a yellow metal bezel surrounded by a coiled wire border and an outer scalloped rim. The reverse features a horizontal pin with a C-clasp mechanism and a small integrated loop at the top for a safety chain. On the bottom of the scalloped rim on the reverse, there is an incised mark that appears worn and pitted. The characters 1, 4, and K are partially visible, but the mark is not clearly legible. The presence of green oxidation in several areas suggests the frame is made of a gold-plated or gold-filled base metal rather than solid karat gold. Measured at widest points: 1 1/4 inches high by 1 inch wide. Visible green oxidation or verdigris is present on the metal frame and reverse (photo 3, 4). There are surface scratches and wear to the yellow metal finish on the back of the piece (photo 4). Fine internal lines or crazing are visible within the carved shell, notably in the upper hair area (photo 1). A small gap or seam is visible in the metal bezel at the bottom edge (photo 3).