Camée agate 17th/18th century

Beautiful cameo carved from agate with gold frame 18k.

A cameo on agate is a cut gemstone traditionally used as jewelry or decorative object. The special thing about a cameo is that it is made by carving the surface of a stone into relief, creating an image or motif that rises above the background. With agate, a layered semi-precious stone, the artist uses the natural color layers to create contrasts.

Characteristics of a cameo on agate:

• Material: Agate is a type of quartz characterized by its fine, colored layers. These layers are ideal for cameo carvings because they vary in shades, such as white, gray, blue or brown.
• Technique: The top layer of the agate is carefully cut to form the motif, for example a portrait, mythological scene, or flora and fauna pattern. The underlying layer acts as a contrasting background, making the design more visible.
• Style and use: Camées on agate are often incorporated into antique or classic jewelry such as rings, brooches or pendants. The motif can have symbolic, decorative or personal meaning.
• History: The technique dates back to classical antiquity, with use in ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine jewelry. During the Renaissance and Neoclassicism, cameos experienced a revival and became status symbols.

Value and meaning

A cameo on agate is prized for its artisanal craftsmanship and aesthetics. Because agate is relatively hard (7 on the Mohs scale), cutting a cameo is a time-consuming process that requires precision.

Modern cameos are still made, but antique examples are particularly sought after by collectors. They represent a refined mix of art, nature and technology.