A Little Bit About Cameos and a Fun Giveaway

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A few weeks ago, I was rummaging through an old box in my closet and found this treasure. It’s a cameo locket my grandmother gifted me when I was about ten or eleven years old (we won’t say how long ago that was). The chain went missing who knows when, and the fastener is broken, but the locket itself is intact. It’s not expensive and has only sentimental value, but I’m flooded with many happy memories whenever I hold it, and for that reason I’ll continue to keep it.

I got to thinking, when did cameos first appear, and what are the different types? So, I did a bit of research. Seems cameos have been around since ancient times and were first made from soft stones like onyx and agate. Later, craftsmen began using shells. While lockets seem to be the most popular, cameos are also set in rings, brooches, earrings, bracelets, and pocket watch fobs.

In the early days of cameos, they were used for more than jewelry and ornamentation. Because they are a relief carving (created by cutting away background material), cameos were used as official seals with wax. For the Greeks, they doubled as a form of currency. Since their beginnings, cameos have been worn by both men and women in every way from the simple and inexpensive to the elaborate and costly – inlaid in gold and adorned with precious gems.

I noticed that a woman in profile — especially Greek or Roman in appearance — is one of the most common cameos. Other ancient figures you might see are Roman warriors, Greek mythological characters such as Zeus and Medusa, minstrels, mermaids, and sirens. You can also find animals such as peacocks, birds, and rabbits. Modern cameos often feature fairies, angels, Christmas bells, cats, dogs, flowers, and hearts. Oval is a prevalent shape, but I’ve seen circles, hearts, and squares. Some lockets, like mine, open to reveal a miniature photo. Cameos’ popularity have risen and waned over the centuries. They were very popular during the Victorian era (mid-1800s to early 1900s), so they often made their way west with pioneers and travelers.

If you could design a cameo, what figure would you use? As an author, I think it might be fun to have a cameo featuring an open book.

After all this talk, I decided it would be fun to end the day with a little giveaway. A cameo, of course. Just comment and let me know if you have a cameo, ever had one, want one, or what is your favorite. I’ll randomly draw a winner at the end of the day and mail this rose cameo along with one of my backlist print books (sorry, U.S. shipping only). So, have fun and play along.

Cathy McDavid
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Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

81 thoughts on “A Little Bit About Cameos and a Fun Giveaway”

  1. I don’t have a cameo but I would love to have one. I do have two lockets though. love your books too!

  4. I’ve had two cameos, a blue one and a light, peachy brown one. Both had women’s heads in silhouette on them.

  5. I had one that was my grandmothers until it broke, it was a woman’s silhouette on a black gem. I currently have one that is a woman’s silhouette and is blue.

  6. I have never had a cameo. I didn’t even know they had any with roses on them. I thought they only had the silhouette of a woman. This is absolutely beautiful!

  7. I don’t have any cameos but my mom does. She got them from her mom or grandma or both. I believe one is a mother & child. If I am lucky enough to win, I will surprise her with it because I don’t know if she knows about a rose cameo.

  8. I have rose cameo clip on earrings that were my grandmother’s. My parents gave me a cameo ring when I was little, lost it during one of our moves during my childhood. I always think of older generations when I see cameos and often wonder who may have worn it.

  10. Hey Cathy! Nice research! When I was getting married, my grandmother gave me a blue cameo to wear. The background was blue and the lady was white. I thought, “Cool. Something borrowed and blue!” When I went to give it back, she said it was mine. So, I have it and it’s timeless in our wedding pictures. Over 44 years ago.

    Many blessings!

  13. I had one when I was in high school, just something I thought was pretty, no special meaning to it. It was an oval one.

  15. I have always found cameos fascinating. I do have one but am not sure where it is. I should go looking. thanks for the wonderful post.

  17. I have never had a cameo but I have always admired them since they are unique and remind of life in the olden days. To wear one would be beautiful.

  18. I do have a cameo. It’s not worth much, probably, as I bought it in the early 70s. What your story about cameos brought to mind is that when I was a young child, it was popular to have a cameo-type drawing done and the child’s image cut out of black paper and then glued onto a white background. I have one that was done of me when I was about 5 years old.

  19. Mom had a cameo, so that means I probably have it still, somewhere! I’ve always liked cameos, and like you, I think I’d like a book on one, since I read so much! Or, maybe a lighthouse, because I love them, too!

  20. My in-laws had given me a Wedgewood cameo about 25 years ago. It beat the faux cameos I’d had since high school and college.

    My MIL recently passed away, and she left me a beautiful genuine cameo pin/pendant with some other gold jewelry.

    While going through her things for the estate, I found a plastic shoe box of jewelry that was supposed to contain only costume jewelry, I found a true Victorian cameo–I researched it and verified with a jeweler–along with some other real Victorian and Art Nouveau pieces. They were all genuine materials set in gold. Family pieces her aunt had given her. What a find!

  21. I am a musician so I would probably have a musical clef or notes. Or I would put an instrument. I think I own a couple of cameos but I don’t wear jewelry often so I’m not sure. I do have my grandma’s locket. It has a picture of me and my closest in age cousin.

  22. I’ve never had a cameo but have always enjoyed seeing them, as they are so beautiful, especially the Victorian lady side view! Would love to win the rose cameo, as well as a print copy of a book. Thanks for the opportunity!

  23. I e never had a cameo but I always thought they were beautiful. I would love to win and thank you for the opportunity. The rose cameo is beautiful.

  24. I have never had one but love the idea of an open book. The rose cameo is so pretty. Thank you for sharing and this opportunity to win.

  25. Interesting info and beautiful cameo’s. They are all so pretty! Angel and Cat are two of my favorites, but I also love flowers!!!

  27. Hi, how nice that your grandmother gave you this locket Cameo. I have never had a Cameo. I think I would love one with either a Red Cardinal Bird or a Pretty flower. Thank you for the chance. Have a great day and a great weekend.

  28. I love cameos. I have quite a few of them. My favorite one is angel with the red in the background. I have a mother holding a child I gave to my son when his son was born to give to his fiance.

  29. When I was a kid, I always wanted one after seeing the beautiful one my grandmother had. I have not thought about it in so long…

  30. I love cameos, they feel like a piece of history! My Grannie had one of herself that an old boyfriend gave her. He had it made from a picture of her. Because of that, I always thought it would be cool to have a cameo made for my mom, sister, and me. 🙂

  32. Many years ago I had one (as a teenager). Seems it was white on a blue background and I’m pretty sure it was a pendant. It was costume jewelry and is long gone.

  33. I believe years ago that Avon had a cameo necklace. My Mom was a representative. My Dad collected Avon. I am not sure what happened to the cameo through the years. Cameos are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

  36. I do have one that my parents got me for Christmas one year when I was a teen. Its a small silver one. I have worn it in year though.

  37. I absolutely love Cameos!!! I have one that was my Mom’s. I’m always on the lookout for more, especially the old ones.

  41. If I Could design the cameo it would be a a Red Rose ? in the middle of of the book, I use a Red Rose because thorns represents the bad days and the beautiful Red Rose part represents all of the good days, love cameos

    • I don’t ever remember owning one but always thought they were cool. Always thought I would get my moms but someone claimed it. I would love to have one

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