Gemma is a sample of miniature carvings on colored stones and gems - glyptics. This type of art appeared in ancient times. Thanks to the materials used, many rarities have come down to us in complete safety. The gem with an in-depth image is called "intaglia", with a convex - "cameo".
The images carvers applied to the stones could be very different. Most often these were images of figures of women and men, animals, birds, military plots or allegorical paintings.
Their oldest examples appeared in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The oldest gem with an in-depth image dates back to the 4th millennium BC. e. The first cameos appeared at the end of the IV-beginning of the III century. BC e. Most often, they were cut out on sardonyx or multilayer agate, where white and brown stripes alternate, which the craftsmen skillfully used in their work. The resulting multi-color pattern distinguished cameos from Egyptian intalia.
Initially, gems were used as amulets or jewelry. Gradually, they began to depict the emblems of the owners. In Egypt and Messopotamia, gems with in-depth images began to be used instead of printing, which was not only applied to papers. She was marked with the doors of the dwelling, chests with property, amphora with wine, because the locks and keys were not known. Greeks and Romans applied gems only to documents. Moreover, in the code of laws of Solon there was a ban on carvers to leave impressions from seals made so that they were not faked.
Gemmas are wonderful works of art; they retained knowledge of the culture of the ancient world. Often they depicted copies of famous paintings and sculptures, many of which did not reach us. The idea of them was preserved only by intalia and cameos. Ancient gems depicted patron gods, athletes, actors, hunting, war and peaceful life scenes, portraits of public figures, artists and writers.
Intaglia was a collectible already in the ancient world. A cameo, that is, a gem with a convex image, was considered only a luxury item. As a rule, these were women's jewelry: brooches, pendants, rings, whole necklaces were collected from them. The threading technique was gradually improved. Many gems were real amulets. This was especially common in the last centuries of the Roman Empire, when the pagan religion was replaced by Christianity.
Gems were also valued in the East; they played a large role in public life. In Iran, the Shah, asserting the courtier for a military, civilian or priestly position, granted the regalia of power: a belt, a hat and a ring with a seal, which must be put on business papers, orders and letters.
Persian and Arab historians often described these rings in detail. It was believed that a gem with an in-depth image could have mystical power and could change fate. It was a very bad sign to break or simply damage a stone.
In the Middle Ages, glyptic fell into decay, its further heyday fell on the Renaissance and continued until the middle of the XIX century. But even today, the convex gem can be used as an elegant feminine decoration.