Antique 18K, 14K & Carved Shell Cameo Conversion Ring

A cameo is a form of glyptography, or bas-relief carving, most often cut into glass, hard-stones, and shells. Artworks were crafted to create two layers on one piece of material, the top of which protruded from its background, creating a multi-dimensional artwork. These detailed reliefs were often used to adorn pieces of jewelry, including brooches, necklaces, bracelets and rings. The earliest cameos took inspiration from prehistoric petroglyphs, which documented important religious and symbolic iconography onto rock faces. Victorians loved cameos, and wore them prolifically throughout the era, often purchasing them as souvenirs on their Grand Tours. Popular subject matter ranged from Mythology to classical literature. Converted from an antique stickpin, this wonderful cameo ring features the carving of a young boy, perhaps meant to depict a god or figure in mythology. His little grin and sprite-like tilt of the head make us think of Shakespeare's Puck from a Midsummer Night's Dream. E