Belle Epoque Lady Cameo Relief

A lady in profile, frozen mid-turn. Carved in deep relief inside a tall, canted octagonal frame, this is an elegant female bust seen from the side. She faces left with a serene half-smile; her hair is swept up into a soft, wavy chignon threaded with strands of tiny pearls, a delicate flower-drop earring at her ear and a loose plaited lock falling to her shoulder. Bare shoulders and the suggestion of a gown finish the portrait below. The surrounding frame is filled with fine, closely spaced radial fluting, like rays framing a cameo. The styling is pure Belle Epoque / early Art Deco — the sort of romantic figure that suits a dressing room, a boudoir wall, a hallway, or a keepsake gift. It hangs beautifully alone or as one of a paired set. Cut notes • This is a high-relief carving: leave enough Z-depth for the raised cheekbone and chignon to sit well proud of the ground. • The pearl strands and hair waves want a small-diameter ball-nose (1–2 mm) on the finishing pass. • A tapered bit helps clear the undercut beneath the jaw and earring without flattening them. • Choose a tight-grained hardwood — lime, cherry or maple — so the facial detail doesn't tear; hand-sand the faces gently and leave the fluted border crisp.