Author Topic: Strange brooch possibly glass (Read 2638 times)

Pat · « **on:** December 06, 2006, 05:16:31 PM »

I've got this vintage brooch which I think was probably brought back from Italy around the time of the old mosaic jewellery. It has a brass surround and a cameo like portrait. On the back it has minor chips around the edge from manufacture and they are shiny which makes me think the item is glass but I'm still not really sure. Any opinions please?

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4310

Ivo · « **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2006, 05:44:12 PM »

i think it's cameo - not "cameo like".

Sue C · « **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2006, 05:53:45 PM »

It is a cameo, and most cameos were carved out of shell which can be chipped, and some are so fine they resemble glass, i think the shell is conch?.

Pat · « **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2006, 05:57:33 PM »

Hi Ivo. I meant cameo like as not shell. The back od the brooch is all pitted like it's been on send when hot.

Ivo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2006, 06:12:09 PM »

True cameo is carved from semiprecious stone (agate & suchlike) and may show natural colour variation like yours does. Such stone has a high density and the back is usually polished flat.
If the back is pitted the material may be cast resin...

Frank · « **Reply #5 on:** December 06, 2006, 06:27:50 PM »

Or glass?

Pat · « **Reply #6 on:** December 06, 2006, 09:08:29 PM »

I'll try to explain about the small chips. They are shiny inside like a piece of chipped glass looks under a chip, especially coloured glass, and the portrait looks more moulded than carved.

Frank · « **Reply #7 on:** December 06, 2006, 10:09:41 PM »

Photo of the inside? Also try scratching with something other than a diamond.

Bernard C · « **Reply #8 on:** December 06, 2006, 10:53:04 PM »

Pat â€” Withou looking at any of the replies here, I immediately recognised your fabulous broach as pÃ¢te-de-verre. It was cast from crushed glass coloured with metal oxides, then the mould was heated to fuse the glass, so the back will look rough.

The four main names associated with the technique were Walter (1870â€“1959), BergÃ© (1868â€“1936), DÃ©corchemont (1880â€“1971), and Argy-Rousseau (1885â€“1953).

Source:- Judith Miller, 20th Century Glass, Dorling Kindersley, 2004, pp104â€“5.

This is a beautiful and valuable piece of glass.

Thank you for the image.

Bernard C.

B & M · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2006, 11:27:25 PM »

It doesn't look like pate-de-verre to me, it doesn't seem to show the granular appearance associated with the technique, though of course it is difficult to tell without handling the piece. The consistent white opacity and sheen seen on the face suggest to me that it may be milk glass with applied colours.

Edit. I may have been wrong with my previous line of thought, I should say it doesn't have the appearance I would associate with pieces by Almeric Walter or Argy Rousseau. I have just found this interesting site illustrating cabochons in pate-de-verre and describing how the use of finer powders allows for greater opacity and detail:
http://www.karenmoyerglass.com/karen%20moyer%20glass%20-%20Pate%20de%20verre.htm

Steven