Vintage 1930s screw back/clip-on shell cameo earrings with two women facing opposite directions in goldtone metal. The goldtone frame around the peach-colored shell has wonderful scroll detail that adds to these earrings‘ vintage appeal. The two women are hand-carved into the shell with nice little detail. Fabulous earrings for cameo lovers and non-pierced ears!
Cameo carving has an ancient history dating back to 3 century BCE Greece. Empress Josephine, Alexander the Great, and Queen Victorian were prominent cameo enthusiasts. They are typically carved out of hard stone, shell or coral, and lava and can be used as jewelry or objets d‘ art. To learn more about cameos, read our blog post here:
The earrings are in very good vintage condition with signs of wear on the surface of the metal. The cameos are hand-carved, so they are not perfectly symmetrical in design, and one of the cameos seemed to have a fine crack along one side where the shell is thinner. The crack does not break the shell‘s surface and appears to be stable, so I would not worry about it unless you smacked them hard. The screw-back mechanisms are fully functional, and a GIA Graduate Gemologist examined the shell.
The earrings measure 3/4" tall and wide and weigh 10.12 grams. The box is for display only.
Please note the measurements in the details section, as the item can appear more significant than the actual size. Shipping is combined on multiple orders.
