Gemma with an in-depth image: an intaglio or a cameo?

Gemma is an example of a miniature carving on colored stones and gems - glicks. This kind of art appeared in ancient times. Thanks to the materials used, many rarities have reached us in complete safety. Gemma with a deep image is called "intaglio", with a convex - "cameo."

The images that the carvers applied to the stones could be very different. Most often these were images of figures of women and men, animals, birds, military subjects or allegorical paintings.

The most ancient of their samples appeared in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The oldest gem with an in-depth image dates back to the 4th millennium BC. E. The first cameos appeared at the end of the IV-beginning of the III century. BC. E. Most often they were cut out in sardonyx or multi-layered agate, where white and brown stripes alternate, which the craftsmen skillfully used in their work. The resultant multicolor of the picture distinguished the cameos from the intaglio of Egypt.

Initially, gems were used as amulets or ornaments. Gradually, they began to depict the emblems of the owners. In Egypt and Mesopotamia, a gem with an in-depth image was used instead of a press that was not only applied to papers. She was marked by the doors of the dwelling, chests with property, amphorae with wine, since the locks and keys were not known. Greeks and Romans applied gems only to documents. And in the code of laws of Solon was a prohibition to carvers to leave prints from manufactured seals so that they would not be forged.

Gems are beautiful works of art, they have preserved knowledge about the culture of the ancient world. Often they depicted copies of famous paintings and sculptures, many of which did not reach us. The idea of them was preserved only by intaglios and cameos. The ancient gems depicted gods-patrons, athletes, actors, hunting scenes, war and peaceful life, portraits of public figures, artists and writers.

Intalya was a collector's item already in the ancient world. Cameo, that is gemma with a convex image, was considered only a luxury item. As a rule, these were women's jewelry: brooches, pendants, rings, of which collected necklaces. Gradually improved the technique of carving. Many gems were real amulets. Especially it was common in the last centuries of the Roman Empire, when pagan religion was replaced by Christianity.

In the East, gems were also valued, they played a big role in public life. In Iran, the Shah, approving the courtier for military, civil or priestly office, complimented the regalia of power: a belt, a cap and a seal ring, which was necessarily put on business papers, orders and letters.

Persian and Arab historians often described these rings in detail. It was believed that gemma with an in-depth image can have a mystical power and is capable of changing fates. It was a very bad sign to break or simply damage the stone.

In the Middle Ages, the glyptic has decayed, its further flourishing occurred during the Renaissance and continued until the middle of the XIX century. But even today, a convex gem can be used as an elegant female ornament.