Cameos: Old and New [Paperback]

Anna M. Miller (Author), Diana Jarrett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2008

From ancient times to the present, cameos have captivated artists as a unique medium in which to capture and reflect the history, literature and legends of every age. And today, the allure of cameos are attracting a new generation of collectors, connoisseurs, artists, and appraisers fascinated by their multidimensional beauty. This new edition provides extra information and many new photos designed to enable all interested parties to recognise and evaluate quality and value in cameos.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Retailers must grab this! It is good for you, good for your business, good to give to your customers. Unlike some reference books that are used a page or chapter at a time to answer a question, this book is best enjoyed from cover to cover. 'Cameos Old & New' is not just a reference; it is The reference for cameos." -- Karen Tweedie, Bulletin of the New York Mineralogical Club, and also Southern Jewelry News, Spring 2009 "This is a must-have for anyone involved along the path cameos take, from start to finish, into the market place, and beyond." -- Gem News "Any library strong in collecting will find here a unique acquisition." -- Midwest Book Review "Comprehensive reference guide" -- Jewelry Artist

About the Author

Anna M. Miller, G.G., M.G.A., R.M.V, is a jewelry historian, author, lecturer and instructor.

The developer of the Master Valuer Program, a jewelry appraisal course that has been taught worldwide, she currently consults with individuals and companies on buying, selling, appraising, and interpreting the jewelry arts.

Miller is the author of five books on gems and jewelry, including The Illustrated Guide to Jewelry Appraising and Gems & Jewelry Appraising. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Gemstone Press; 4 edition (December 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943763606
• ISBN-13: 978-0943763606
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Jewelry
  • #94 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just your grandmother's brooch, August 14, 2004

By 

abt1950 "abt1950" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cameos: Old & New, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

When most people think of cameos, they think of the standard woman's profile carved from shell and mounted as a brooch or necklace. But the art of the cameo encompasses far more than that. Historically, it dates back to the ancient world, and over the centuries many materials have been used in making these works of art. Although female heads are probably the most common subject, mythological figures, animals, portraits of individuals, and many other things have found their way onto cameos. The quality can range all the way from cheap mass-produced modern items to fine hand-crafted pieces worthy of any museum.

Anna Miller's "Cameos" is a wonderful introduction to cameos. She covers the history of the form, the subjects normally found and what each one looks like--very useful in an age where few people know their mythology. She describes the different materials that have been used in making cameos--including lava from Mt. Vesuvius, shell, agate, onyx, plastic, and glass. There's an extensive section on how cameos are made and on the people who made (and make) them. One particularly useful discussion describes the differences between traditional hand-carved works and those made by modern ultrasonic machines (vital for any modern buyer). The author also gives information on how to evaluate quality and condition and on market value. The book is illustrated throughout with black and white pictures, and there is an extensive color section in the middle. One of the best things about this book is that the author is able to convey her appreciation of the art of cameos to the reader. "Cameos" is an essential reference for anyone who wants to acquire a knowledge and understanding of this art. Highly recommended.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by a Cameo carver., December 12, 2003

By 

Gareth Eckley (Wales, UK.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cameos: Old & New, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

I am one of the small number of portrait cameo carvers on gemstone.

I found this book to be excellent. There is a wealth of detail on all aspects of cameos. There are also good illustrations. There is valuable info for collectors on identifying and valuing Cameos.

Information on how to distinguish Ultrasonic Cameos from the more valuable hand-carved cameos is given.

You will gain a lot of knowledge on how Cameos are made and valued from reading this title.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Substantially revised, updated and expanded in a fourth edition, March 23, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cameos Old and New (Paperback)

Cameos were a hallmark of social status and intrinsically beautiful adornments down through the centuries. Anna M. Miller's "Cameos: Old & New" has now been substantially revised, updated and expanded by Diana Jarrett for this newly published fourth edition of an antiques industry standard reference. A core reference guidebook, "Cameos: Old & New" provides invaluable information, instruction and advice on where to seek out cameos for acquisition, distinguishing old cameos from new ones, imitations and synthetic cameos from antiquarian ones, and separating ultrasonically produced cameos from hand-carved ones. Enhanced with a profusion of black-and-white as well as color images, "Cameos: Old & New" also covers defining the value of cameos, buying cameos from retailer sand dealers through either the Internet or at auction, ranging and classifying cameos, reviews of cameo artists from around the globe including contact information, and offering a cogent explanation of 'The MasterValuer Program' with respect to cameos. Laced throughout with 'info bits' of special interest to cameo enthusiasts and collectors, "Cameos: Old & New" is an essential reference and a welcome addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Antiques & Collectibles guidebook collections.