Antiquity under the magnifying glass : Last chance

When it comes to small things, it is often worth taking a closer look and even picking up a magnifying glass. In ancient art, this is particularly true of cut stones (gems), which are known as intaglios or cameos depending on their design. Tiny images, sometimes less than a centimetre in size, adorn semi-precious stones with vibrant colours. It is not only the variety of motifs that is astounding, but also the virtuosity and precision with which the ancient stone cutters worked.
The art of cutting stones was developed in the Ancient Orient and soon became widespread. It first flourished in the Aegean region in Minoan times. The miniature works of art could serve as seals. On the other hand, set in rings or amulets, they adorned or protected their wearers of all ages. The genre undoubtedly reached its artistic peak during the Greek Classical period (5th/4th century BC) and the Hellenistic period (3rd to 1st century BC). However, production and interest continued throughout the Roman imperial period (1st to late 3rd century AD) and into late antiquity (late 3rd to 6th century AD). Even during this period, the first collections of this "art in miniature" were created by enthusiasts.

Last edited on 26.09.2024