Brooch
PeriodCirca 1860
MediumShell, gold
Dimensions2.5 × 2 × 0.38 in. (6.4 × 5.1 × 1 cm)
ClassificationsAccessories, Women's
Credit LineGift of Miss Elizabeth Casler, 1936
Object number940
DescriptionA large oval cameo brooch, depicting a kneeling child in prayer, with a tree at left. The cameo is held in a plain gold setting with a pin and open loop closure back.Curatorial RemarksCameos have been popular since ancient Egypt and have been made of a variety of materials. During the nineteenth century, shell cameos were particularly popular for both women's and men's jewelry. The large oval cameo in the Association's collection is carved from shell, using the different colors within the shell itself for depth and contrast. A brooch of this type would have been worn at the neck of a woman's gown, offset by a decorative lace or embroidered collar.NotesThis brooch was donated to the Historical Association by Elizabeth Casler West (1870 - 1949). A lifelong Middletown resident, Casler West was the daughter of William T. and Isabella Van de Vort Casler. At the time of the donation, Casler stated that the cameo pin had belonged to Elizabeth Conover of Monmouth County.
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