mages carved in stone and shell have excited men and women since antiquity. As witnesses of the highest level of craftsmanship, they decorated the emperors of the era, the rulers of the Middle Ages and the people of the Renaissance. With the burgeoning tourism of the late 18th century, engraved gems and cameos in particular became the classic souvenir of Italy. Discover the precious examples of the different times with us!
Two different techniques can be distinguished: Intaglios or engraved gems portray coats of arms, people and scenes carved into the material – usually stone – as a mirror image. As seals, they were used for sealing letters and documents. We encounter them in this form even today, especially in the form of a seal ring.
By contrast, cameos portray the depiction correctly and sublimely in front of a recessed background. They were often cut in agate, cornelian or onyx, but there are also examples made in shells. As brooches or pendants they preserve the faces of rulers and heroes, portraits of the Gods of antiquity and – particularly sought after for collections – scenes from mythology, history and literature, featuring a wide caste of characters.
Italy plays a central role in the history of engraved gems and cameos. As a traditional form of craftsmanship, their production experienced a golden age in the region around Naples in the 18th and 19th centuries. A stampede of travellers from all over Europe visited the classical sites of antiquity during their Grand Tour and studied the art collections at the great cultural centres in Florence, Rome and Naples. In precious shell cameos, they found the ideal subject matter to solidify their memories of their months in the carefree South.
We present you with a precious selection of carved works from different periods. In addition to engraved gems and cameos, you’ll also find seals and other valuable examples of the jeweller’s art that are sure to delight with their figurative motifs. Including such diverse techniques as miniature painting and the rare images cut in coral.
