What is glass intaglio?

Intaglio Glass: A short explanation Intaglio is a form of design/decoration where the picture is below the surface of the glass. This effect may be achieved by cutting away the glass to form the shape of the design, or by pressing the molten glass into a mold.

How are glass intaglios made?

It is a mixture, based on silica, in which sodium, calcium and colored pigments are added and melted by cooking it in a blast furnace at 1300 degrees. Its compound requires very long processing times.

What does intaglio mean in jewelry?

An intaglio is a recessed image that has been carved into the back of a stone – the reverse of a cameo, which protrudes from the front of the stone. At the turn of the 19th century, a hand-carved semi-precious gem intaglio was a rare and treasured possession.

What is cameo and intaglio?

The word cameo specifically describes a relief image raised higher than its background and carved from one material. In contrast, if the artist carves down into the stone to hollow out a recessed image, the resulting work is called an “intaglio” (pronounced with a silent “g”).

What is a reverse cameo called?

This is known as cavo rilievo, or sunk relief. One can think of it as the opposite of the cameo, where the design protrudes slightly from the stone’s surface in sculptural relief.

What are intaglios made out of?

Intaglios were originally used as seals. These carvings or cuttings are moulded out of white plaster, marble dust or wax. The original 19th century intaglios were also made from wood or stone. The depressed designs depicting ancient scenes and figures from Greece and Italy.

What were intaglios used for?

When brushed with wax or ink, the intaglio was used as a seal, identifying the sender of a letter or document. In ancient times, intaglios were made from gems. The word “glyptic” refers to the art of carving small gem stones which could be mounted in rings.

What are intaglios made of?

Historically, intaglios were carved from hard stones for use as wax seals. Prominent individuals in the Roman Empire had their own unique intaglios, carved in amethyst, agate, garnet, jasper and cornelian, which served to identify and authenticate the letters they sent.

How can you tell a real cameo from a fake?

Authentic vs. Examine the back- hold the cameo face down and run your finger up and down the back. If the cameo is made from shell you should feel a concave or curve. The curve might be slight, but this is a good sign the cameo was carved from real shell. Plastic cameos will have a flat surface.

Who is Lady cameo?

The lady is Helen Myers, also known as the Cameo Lady of the Hills. She said she has the largest private collection of genuine cameos in the United States. “The word cameo describes the manner of carving through two layers of material color,” Ms.

What do fake cameos look like?

Plastic cameos will have a flat surface. Check for carving marks- if you inspect the front of a cameo with a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe you may be able to see faint carving marks around the figure. These are little indentations made from the carving tool, indicating the piece was hand carved.