05-20-2015 05:46 AM
Hello again! I tried this board in the past, but sadly, no one replied! Thought I'd try again with this piece. It belongs to a friend who said it was her grandmother's from the 1840's? I hope to have more pics later, but for now, hope these will do. 🙂 The cameos are shell, but my question is about the quality? They aren't as detailed as most antique cameos. Is this a problem if I re-sell? And the clasp is stamped 806. Doesn't show in these pics, but I have seen it clearly. She was told that is a "date stamp", but I can find no info on this, other than it MIGHT be Italian? Also the metal must be silver/vermeil? Is this a "book chain" link?
I thank you for any help or information! 🙂
05-20-2015 08:25 AM
Hi, is it possible your friend was wrong about the date of the bracelet? Reason for asking is the Cameos are machined (stamped) thats why they all look the same. The 806 should be 800 a silver number, maybe the 6 was a messed up 0. This style came from Italy as early as the Deco era and made for several years. I believe they were made for the Tourist at a resonable price "Hey! look what I found in Italy!
Pricing is tricky, well made in perfect shape (from what is shown) Nice bracelets that size are getting scarce. The over all bracelet is seen not the faces on the Cameos.Had to knock some cobwebs out of the grey mass to remember all that!! LOL
Someone else may have a closer time line then I or more info for you.
05-20-2015 08:28 AM
this is more like 1940's, not 1840's.
05-20-2015 11:00 AM
Hello and thanks so much for your replies! My friend feels CERTAIN of the date, as it belonged to her great granmother, who was married in 1840's - 1850's and supposedly, this was a wedding gift. Does it makes sense what her jeweler told her about the "European Silver, Gold Leaf" material? And these aren't hand-carved, right? She is asking $125 for it, and haven't decided to purchase it. It's pretty lovely, and haven't seen many like it....is it worth it, do you think?
Appreciate your Input!! Do have more photos she sent.
05-20-2015 12:04 PM
Hello again. The bracelet would be worth 125.00 or more "if" it was sterling and the Cameos were hand carved. It is considered a costume piece in some circles so the value of the bracelet will be a lot less. In this economy a value is worth what someone is willing to pay for a piece of jewelry and to heck with all those price guides because they were written in another time line. Since the computor, nothing is so rare any longer and you have to keep that in mind when pricing jewelry. The panels look filagree to me (silver work). If you are buying for resell you may have problems.Not sure about the expert jewelers assessment of the piece it sounded gobbly **bleep**. LOL Best thing to do is scroll thru all the Cameo bracelets on ebay, be sure to look at completed it will give you an idea of what you can price it for. Stickin to my guns on the time line, Im old "thats what I do! .
05-20-2015 12:46 PM
Thank you for your helpful info; "olds". Even though I'm getting more confused about whether to purchase it or not 🙂 Yes, it was to re-sell. But do YOU agree/disagree that is is from the 1850's, as my friend swears to? And I have done so much research, my head is spinning! So what do you think the "806" refers to? I'd say silver content, and a misstamp, as has been suggested.
I couldn't find any info on "date stamps" except for ONE website that did say Italian jewelry may have used it. On we go! Thanks!!
05-20-2015 01:50 PM
05-20-2015 01:58 PM
That's helpful info, Phoebe! But I'm not sure how to tell my friend she must be wrong, as she is positive it's from the 1800's??! Not sure what to do. But I do want to sell it, if I can get her down from $125. And that hallmark certainly looks like 806, though it must be a mistake and supposed to be 800, as yours. Thanks!!
05-20-2015 04:29 PM
05-21-2015 12:04 PM
Will give it a try Phoebe! Thanks so much for your help!!
05-22-2015 06:40 PM
The date is in the 20th century, your first clue should always be to look at the hair style, the short hair didn't come into fashion until the 1920's with the bob. The cameo's hair and clothing styles will always help you date it becuase the carver matched the styles of the period the carving is done.
05-23-2015 07:54 AM
Thank you again, for the tips. I have googled cameos, but thought I'd try you guys! 🙂 So, you are saying this might be 20's-30's? And definitely not Victorian?
Think I've got it! 🙂 Thanks so much!