1900's Gibson Girl Locket Necklace

The pen and ink drawings of illustrator Charles Gibson came to represent the spirit of the early twentieth century in America. The “Gibson Girl” is probably the best remembered of the artist’s images. Some people argue that the Gibson Girl was the first national standard for feminine beauty. The images of her epitomized the late 19th and early 20th century Western preoccupation with statuesque, youthful features, and ephemeral beauty. She was portrayed as the feminine ideal in elegant dresses, bustle gowns, shirtwaists, and terraced, shorter skirts. With her hair piled atop her head and a waist so tiny as to defy belief, the Gibson Girl represented a serene self-confidence that could surmount any problem.

This is a rare cameo locket with a beautiful portriat of a Gibson Girl surrounded in flowers and embellished with small faceted stones. It is gold filled circa 1905. The necklace is an etched 14k gold filled chain with vintage crystal beads, and my signature cloisonne bead at the clasp.

This 1900's Gibson Girl Locket Necklace is on sale at www.vintagerehab.etsy.com.

Vintage Silver Cameo Locket Necklace

This vintage, sterling silver, cameo locket looks very Romanesque and Grecian which is where most of the truly superior ancient cameo carving originated. It is in mint condition. The necklace is a new sterling silver chain with vintage givre west german slate glass beads and sterling silver spacer beads, and my signature cloisonne bead at the clasp.

For thousands of years, people have worn carved images as personal jewelry adornments. This lovely carved sculpture has cast a romantic spell over the wearers for centuries. Seen as both a keepsake for sentimental reasons, and a means of wearing gorgeous works of art, the cameo is one of the most treasured piece of vintage jewelry.

This Vintage Silver Cameo Locket Necklace is on sale at vintagerehab.etsy.com.

History of Cameo Lockets

Throughout history, royalty figures have set the trends for jewelry fashion.  In the fifteenth and sixteenth century, Queen Victoria of England popularized cameo lockets. Queen Elizabeth and Catherine the Great also had a very impressive collection of them.  

Since then, women began collecting cameos to show their cultural status, prestige and wealth. Cameos feature images of mythological gods and goddesses, heroes and rulers, and biblical events. These reliefs predominately showcased women's profiles, and depicted an ethic or moral, or to make a statement about faith and loyalties.  

This beautiful vintage sterling silver cameo locket is from the 1940's. I paired it with an ornate sterling silver chain that accents the relief border around the locket.  You can purchase this 1940's Silver Cameo Locket Necklace  at Vintage Rehab's online store.