Cameos and Intaglios. The Art of Engraved Gemstones

Philippe Malgouyres

With over 100 precious masterpieces selected from the world's greatest museums and private collections, this reference book is an introduction to the history of glyptic art, or the art of engraved stones with motifs that appear in relief (cameos) or incised into the stone (intaglios).

€ 14,50

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Overview

With over 100 precious masterpieces selected from the world's greatest museums and private collections, this reference book is an introduction to the history of glyptic art, or the art of engraved stones with motifs that appear in relief (cameos) or incised into the stone (intaglios), which has fascinated monarchs, art lovers and collectors since Antiquity. 

The author walks us through time, invited us to ponder these refined objects in which the stone's natural beauty is amplified by the talent and craftsmanship of the artist. The study of cameos and intaglios goes well beyond a mere history of the technique, tastes and cultural practices: it presents us with the oldest and deepest layers of our humanity in dialogue with nature.

Philippe Malgouyres

Author of Cameos and Intaglios and Curator in the Decorative Arts department at the Louvre Museum

Cameos and intaglios arose from a personal dialogue between the stone and the human hand. Before beginning to shape and carve stones, people first had to gather them, marveling at the infinite variety of their shapes and colors.

Portland Vase, cameo glass, Rome, 1st century CE, London, British Museum

Portland Vase, cameo glass, Rome, 1st century CE, London, British Museum.

© British Museum/RMN-Grand Palais​
“Mazda-worshipping Shapur, king of kings of Iran”, garnet intaglio, Iran, 3rd–4th century, Paris, BnF

“Mazda-worshipping Shapur, king of kings of Iran”, garnet intaglio, Iran, 3rd–4th century, Paris, BnF.

© BnF, Paris
Shrine of the Three Kings, attributed to Nicholas of Verdun, c. 1200, Cologne Cathedral

Shrine of the Three Kings, attributed to Nicholas of Verdun, c. 1200, Cologne Cathedral.

© Reinhard Matz and Axel Shenk, Cologne​
Athena and Poseidon Vying for Attica, sardonyx cameo, Sicily, 13th century, Paris, BnF

Athena and Poseidon Vying for Attica, sardonyx cameo, Sicily, 13th century, Paris, BnF.

© BnF, Paris
Louis Siriès, Neptune and Minerva Vying​  for Attica, 1756, sard intaglio, Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum

Louis Siriès, Neptune and Minerva Vyingfor Attica, 1756, sard intaglio, Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum.

© Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna​
Pierre-Jean Mariette, Traité des pierres gravées, 1750

Pierre-Jean Mariette, Traité des pierres gravées, 1750.

© Photo12

Details

Author: Philippe Malgouyres

Publishers: L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts - Gallimard

Publication: April 2022

Available languages

  • English: 978-2-0729-4327-0
  • French: 978-2-0727-9985-3
  • Japanese: 978-2-07-307814-8

Characteristics

  • Format: 15 x 20 cm
  • 76 pages
  • 120 images

 

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Cameos and Intaglios. The Art of Engraved Gemstones
Cameos and Intaglios. The Art of Engraved Gemstones
Cameos and Intaglios. The Art of Engraved Gemstones
Cameos and Intaglios. The Art of Engraved Gemstones
Cameos and Intaglios. The Art of Engraved Gemstones
Cameos and Intaglios. The Art of Engraved Gemstones

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