Brooch

Cameos, carved from a variety of semi-precious stones or shells, often depicted the likeness of a person or illustrated a story. Popular themes included religious icons, classical figures and pastoral scenes. By adding hairwork to the back, cameo jewelry could assume an even deeper meaning, relating it to someone loved or lost. This cameo brooch includes many signs that tell us about the person to whom the hair belonged: the two female figures may represent a mother and daughter and the buildings might suggest a deep connection to home.