Cameos

Cameo is a method of carving, or an item of jewelry made in this manner. It features a raised (positive) relief image; contrast with intaglio, which has a negative image. more...

The effect of "cameo" also refers to a proof coin that has frosted lettering and features, providing attractive contrast with the mirrored fields of the coin. The terms "deep cameo" and "ultra cameo" describe cameo coins having the boldest, most attractive contrast.

A cameo is usually made of two types of material, commonly precious or semi-precious stone. One material is carved into a figure — the most common type being a profile portrait of a person's head. This is then set upon the other type of material which provides a background of another color to offset the figure.

Alternately, a cameo can be made from (banded) agate, where different layers of the same stone have different colors. Sometimes dyes are used to enhance the colors.

Cameos are often worn as jewelry. Cameos of great artistry were made in Greece dating back as far as the 6th century BC. Cameos were very popular in Ancient Rome and have enjoyed periodic revivals, notably in the early Renaissance, and again in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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