8/1/2023 0 Comments Mens intaglio ringsThe fine stones that will most often be found for intaglios, whether modern stones or ancient stones, are: The cutting of precious stones implies great control and significant costs, just because of the price of the stone alone and the risk of breakage for certain stones. This is particularly the case with emerald stones which are naturally very included and fragile. It all depends on the talents of the engraver and the risks he is able to assume, the engraving of fragile stones or stones with internal tensions that can lead to their breakage. The latter subsequently influenced both Greece and ancient Rome, which produced their share of intaglio rings bearing the effigy of, among other things, their gods.Įxample of an Egyptian scarab carved from a piece of lapis lazuli stone to then be mounted on an Egyptian cross of life pendant, made in our jewelry workshop Which stones can be engraved for intaglio?Īll stones can, in theory, be engraved. The Mesopotamian civilization largely influenced the Egyptian civilization, also known for its stone-engraved artifacts, including scarab-shaped amulets found in countless tombs. Here is an example of intaglio seal rings from Mesopotamia. The intaglio ring is the ancestor of heraldic engraved signet rings and signet rings, since the techniques of stone engraving (glyptics) developed long before man was able to use metals, the age of bronze beginning only 3000 years before our era. With the development of this know-how, it becomes possible to cut smaller stones more finely, which once set on rings, allow the wearer of the intaglio ring to easily dispose of his seal without risk of losing it. Nearly 5000 years before our era, the first developed (known) civilization made its appearance in Mesopotamia and with it appeared the first texts of laws, title deeds and official acts signed by the people concerned.Īt the time, the signature was made by a roll of fine stone engraved by hand (and therefore unique) rolled and pressed on fresh clay tablets, thus leaving their mark and attesting to the participation of the signatory.Ĭylinder seal with its clay mark dated from the Uruk period The history of these rings begins millennia ago in Mesopotamia with the development of Glyptics, which is the art of engraving fine stones, particularly for making cylinder seals. On the right, the portrait of Demosthenes, the famous Greek orator of antiquity, engraved on a cabochon-cut amethyst stoneīeyond their physical particularity, the intaglios mostly refer to illustrious characters from antiquity, represent gods or scenes from mythology, or even reproduce objects from everyday life in the antiquity. On the left, a Roman amphora engraved in a dark blue agate stone. They therefore have a face in the shape of a cabochon or else a classic cut which is of no interest for sealing the documents. It should be noted that there are engraved intaglio stones which cannot be used as a seal, these stones are fine translucent stones engraved on the back of the stone and whose engraving by transparency of the latter is appreciated. On the opposite, the cameo is a stone engraving in relief, it is generally done on an opaque stone, to better appreciate the reliefs. These stones can be opaque or translucent, as we will see later. Intaglio rings are rings set with a fine stone engraved in hollow which can be used as a seal. Custom onyx intaglio silver ring What makes Intaglio Rings specials? These rings only attract scholars, history enthusiasts who marvel at a pebble shaped by hand centuries ago and which has crossed the turpitudes of the world to reach us and leave its testimony of an era gone.īecause often antique intaglios are exhibited in museums or are extremely expensive, copies or reproductions are made so that they can be worn.Ħ. To open the chapter of intaglio ring is to delve into the history of the world and antiquity, myths and legends, a fascinating world full of adventures, fantastic beasts, gods, but also everyday objects and life scenes from antiquity in Egypt, Mesopotamia or the Roman Empire. Intaglio rings are not at all fashionable, they are not even known to the general public at all.Īnd yet, everything about these rings is fascinating, whether it's their method of manufacture, which hasn't really changed over the centuries, or their millennial history, which bears the traces of the many civilizations that have preceded ours and left their mark for the making of modern intaglio rings.
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