18k Lavender Pat de Verre Cameo Ring

Paté de Verre is a French term that literally means “glass paste”. In this process, finely crushed glass is mixed with a binding material, such as a mixture of gum arabic and water, and often with colorants and enamels. The resultant paste is applied to the inner surface of a negative mold forming a coating. After the coated mold is fired at the appropriate temperature the glass is fused creating a hollow object that can have thick or thin walls depending on the thickness of the Paté de Verre layers.  It was first applied by ancient Greeks and the art revived in the 19th century. The term “cameo” usually refers to any raised carved relief of stone or shell, although molded glass versions have long been classified as cameos, as well, dating all the way back to Ancient Rome. During the Victorian era, Greek and Roman figures were popular depictions of women in cameo pieces. For example, this gorgeous lavender babe.  A gorgeous romantic period cameo, this rare find of a ring shows Athena