Gemma is an example of miniature carving 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. A gem with an in-depth image is called "intaglia", with a convex image - "cameo".
The images that the carvers applied to the stones could be very different. Most often, these were images of figures of women and men, animals, birds, military scenes or allegorical paintings.
The most ancient examples of them 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 4th-beginning of the 3rd century. BC e. Most often they were carved on sardonyx or multi-layered agate, where white and brown stripes alternate, which the craftsmen skillfully used in their work. The resulting multicolor pattern distinguished the cameos from the Egyptian intaglios.
Gems were originally used as amulets or jewelry. Gradually, they began to depict the emblems of the owners. In Egypt and Mesopotamia gemma withan in-depth image 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, amphorae with wine, since the locks and keys were not known. The Greeks and Romans applied gems only to documents. Moreover, in the code of laws of Solon, there was a ban on carvers from leaving prints from the made seals so that they would not be forged.
Gems are beautiful works of art, they have preserved knowledge about the culture of the ancient world. Often they depicted copies of famous paintings and sculptures, many of which have not reached us. Only intaglios and cameos have preserved the idea of them. Antique gems depicted patron gods, athletes, actors, scenes of hunting, war and peaceful life, portraits of public figures, artists and writers.
Intaglia has been a collector's item since 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 assembled from them. Gradually improved carving technique. 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 big role in public life. In Iran, the shah, approving a courtier for a military, civil or priestly position, favored the regalia of power: a belt, a hat and a ring with a seal, which was necessarily put on business papers, orders and letters.
Persian and Arab historians have often detailed these rings. It was believed that a gem with an in-depth image could have mystical power and be able to change destinies. It was a very bad sign to break or simply damage the stone.
In the Middle Ages, glyptics fell into decline, its further heyday fell on the Renaissance and continued until the middle of the 19th century. But even today, the raised gemma can be used as an elegant feminine adornment.
