Price guide to antique and vintage agate cameo brooches. Agate is one of the most common materials used in the art of hardstone carving, and has been recovered at a number of ancient sites, indicating its widespread use in the ancient world; for example, archaeological recovery at the Knossos site on Crete illustrates its role in Bronze Age Minoan culture. Reference: Wikipedia
An agate and gem-set cameo brooch/pendant, circa 1870 The navette-shaped banded agate cameo carved to depict Diana the Huntress, within tiered surrounds of rose-cut diamonds and cushion-shaped rubies, surmounted by a pierced ribbon cresting with a garland surround of rose-cut diamonds and 3.0mm-4.1mm pearls, the suspension loop similarly-set with cushion-shaped diamond accents, the reverse revealing a glazed oval compartment, mounted in silver and gold, pearls untested, length 6.5cm
Sold for £ 8,000 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2018
ANTIQUE AGATE CAMEO AND CULTURED PEARL BROOCH Centering on an agate cameo within a gold, blue enamel and cultured pearl frame Metal: 18k yellow gold Stones: One agate cameo measuring approximately 5 x 4 cm, 42 cultured pearls Size/Dimensions: 6 x 5 cm Gross Weight: 63.3 grams Circa late 19th century
Sold for USD 1,000 at Christies in 2018
Antique Gold, Hardstone Cameo and Enamel Pendant-Brooch Centering one oval brown and white agate cameo depicting the profile of a lady, approximately 33.0 x 26.0 mm., surrounded by green and white enamel plaques, quartered by shell plaques, edged by twisted gold wire and beading, circa 1880, minor enamel loss, approximately 13.2 dwts.
Cameo: nice carving, translucent, good luster. Minor enamel loss and pitting. Several minor dings on reverse of gold frame. 2 5/16 x 1 3/4 inches.
Sold for $2,500 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2018
14 kt gold brooch with agate cameo and rubies YG 585/000, Italy approx. 1950/60, surfacenearly vividly worked, antetype presentation of Aphrodite with typ. pearl necklace, fine elaboration of hairs and friendship ribbons, class. profile according to 450 BC, setting partly fret work, 8 round bevelled rubies total approx. 0.80 ct, approx. 5 x 6.5 cm, also as pendant wearable, approx. 53.5 g
Sold for €1,100 at Henry’s Auktionshaus AG in 2018
A cameo brooch. The oval agate panel depicting a female with a bow, to the plain surround. With Foreign assay mark. Length 3.6cms. Weight 12.5gms.
Sold for £170 at Fellows in 2018
Archaeological-Revival Gold and Hardstone Cameo Brooch, Castellani The rose and cream-colored agate cameo carved in high relief with the profile of Dionysus, mounted in gold as a bar brooch decorated with reeding and wirework, the cameo signed A. Mastini, the mounting signed with interlaced Cs; circa 1880.
Sold for
The unusually fine cameo in this brooch was carved by Amastini, circa 1820. The attractive pinkish hue of the stone serves to heighten the grape vine garland that is worn in the young god’s hair while an inclusion in the stone is transformed into the clasp of his tunic. The signature A. Mastini has been tentatively ascribed to Angelo Amastini (1754-1815) who was born in Fossombrone and worked as a gem engraver in Rome. Although there are several variations of the signature, including A-Mastinit, Amastini and simply Mastini, there is no record of a gem engraved named ‘Mastini.’ The versions of the signature accompanied by the initial ‘N’ may be ascribed to Niccolo, Angelo’s son. For additional information see The Art of the Jeweller, The Hull Grundy Gift to the British Museum, Vol. I, p. 131, no. 870 and Vol. 11, p. 218, no. 870.
Sold for 93,750 USD at Sothebys in 2015
