cammeo

Cammeo is a form of carved art and jewelry featuring a raised relief image created by removing material from a background to leave a figure in relief. The defining characteristic is a contrasting color between the raised design and the surrounding background, often achieved with layered materials such as shells or agate. Common materials include sardonyx (layered onyx), agate, and mother-of-pearl from shells; the figure is usually carved to stand out against a darker or lighter ground.

Historically, cammei date to ancient civilizations, with examples found in Greek and Roman artifacts. The technique spread across the Mediterranean and later experienced a revival during the Renaissance and especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, when neoclassical tastes and the Grand Tour popularized two-tone, portrait-style reliefs. The Victorian era saw prolific production of cameos in Britain and Italy, making them a staple of jewelry and decorative arts.

Techniques involve carefully removing background material with gravers to create a low-relief or high-relief image. The use of layered stones—where the color difference between layers forms the image—allows the figure to appear in relief against a contrasting field. Shell cameos, often white or cream against darker grounds, remain a recognizable and traditional form, while stone cameos offer a broader palette.

In modern jewelry, cammei are produced both as handcrafted, collectible pieces and as mass-produced items. They are commonly found as rings, brooches, pendants, and decorative accents, valued for their craftsmanship, historical associations, and distinctive two-tone appearance.