Unusual Cameo Brooch, Beautifully Carved Woman's Head in 3/4 Position, Locket!

Unusual Cameo Brooch, Beautifully Carved Woman’s Head in 3/4 Position, Locket!
Presented is an unusual cameo brooch. Instead of the more usual profile view of a head, this brooch features a beautifully carved head in a three-quarters position. This treatment gives it a particularly three-dimensional look.
Note how well the woman’s shoulder and draped clothing have been worked. The cameo is carved in white lava stone.
The cameo is mounted in a setting of two gauges of twisted gold-filled wire. The heavier gauge is nicely knurled or textured all along its edges.
The brooch is backed with beveled glass. A lovely feature is that this piece is actually a locket! There is a hinge at the back allowing the glass and its surround to open. Here is where something precious can be tucked away: a photograph or a lock of hair?
The locket door closes well and stays closed nicely. The brooch pin closes into a c-shaped clasp and closes well.
Please scroll down to see our photographs.
The cameo brooch was probably made in Italy between the 1850s and 1870s.
There was a crack to the lower side of the cameo. It was repaired from the back and filled in. This is visible from the back. There is minimal damage to the cameo figure’s nose, but this does not detract from the beauty of the piece. Otherwise, the cameo and brooch setting are both in excellent condition.
Height: 1 5/8 inch.
Width: 1 ½ inches.
Described by: LM
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