History Of The Cameo

Cameos have been around since 6th century Greece and were popular in ancient Rome.  Indeed, one of the most famous cameos was one made of stone for Emperor Claudius.  The Greeks particularly liked the cameo technique of shell carving, but the cameo was very popular no matter what material was used.  The Romans did make glass cameos but only couple hundred fragments have been found to date and the sixteen surviving complete pieces are considered priceless.

Since then, the cameo has had periodic revivals, as in the Neoclassical period with the support of Napoleon Bonaparte.  However, it really gained popularity during the reign of Queen Victoria, who was enchanted with the cameo’s delicate beauty.  Her admiration and patronage led to mass production of cameos in the last half of the 19th century.  If the Queen favored an item, you could be sure it would catch on like wildfire.  Most of the cameos of that period were made of the bullmouth helmet shell; the most expensive and beautiful pieces were carved from emperor helmet shell, which resembles layered agate. 

During the 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe and North America, cameos were considered an indication of good breeding and even wealth.  A woman wearing a cameo was automatically regarded as a lady and most likely a wealthy one or one of good family. 

In the twenty-first century, Torre del Greco in Italy is the world’s center for carving cameos in shells.  Grinding wheels are used to speed production but many hand tools are used before the cameo is soaked in olive oil, cleaned then polished by hand.  If you buy or receive a cameo from Italy, you can be assured of its quality and take pride in this work of handcrafted beauty.