Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-08-05
PORTRAITS In STONE.
The Delicate Work Of Cameo and
Intaglio Cutting.
Description of an Unique Art-The Lapi-
dary's Secrets misunderstanding
but Costly Gifts for the Ador
ment of Loved Ones.

Some time ago in one of the promi-
nent jewelry stores on State street a
newspaper representative was handed
a ring for inspection, which was quite
curiosity in its way. 1t was of the
ordinary size and had been ordered
for presentation to one Of the promi-
nent men of Chicago. The stone Ga
fine black and white cameo), in place
OF the usual antique engraved figure,
bore beautifully executed bust por-
trait of the gentleman it was to be
presented to. In answer to an inquiry
the jeweler said that the stone had been
cut in Chicago, and that the cost of the
ring, the setting included, was one hun
dred and twenty-five dollars. He also
stated that there were only three or
four men in the United States capable
of doing such work, and that the artist
who had cut this stone for him was the
only one west of New York. The re-
porter obtained the address of this
"Rara Avis" and called upon him some
few days afterward.
The workshop had all the appear
ance of machine shop, and was
crowded with revolving wheels and
shafting of diverse materials and d.
mansions, run by steam-power. There
were several men at work, including
the proprietor-ay young man of foreign
birth, between twenty-five and thirty
years of age. The reporter gave the
name of his informant and the propri-
etor willingly gave him all the informa-
ton be desired.
'Our main business" he said, "con-
sists in commissions from jewellers and
private individuals in Chicago and 9TH
er cities throughout the West We ex-
ecute any design in cameo, intaglio,
incrustng, or combination work,
whether bust, portrait, whole figure,
or fancy lettering. We also do great
deal of metal or name engraving on
bijouterie. The required design is first
carefully nodded by us in wax, after
that all depends on the eye and hand
OF the engraver.
Have you any specimen of your
own work you could let me seep"
Here are some specimens have cut
during the last two years." he said,
taking a case out of the safe, ''they
were not made to order but were in
tended for exhibition and my own col
lection. This is two-layer white and
black cameo of the usual description.
/ was at work three weeks cutting
the head on it. Do you know what il
is?n
He placed the stone, which bore a
beautifully designed and executed bust
picture of President Cleveland on the
workbench. The bust was about hall
an inch in length, and the striking
manner in which the characteristics OF
the Presidents massive head were
brought out was astonishing. Had il
been life-size figure the portrait and
personality could not have been more
striking.
What is the value of that stoneP"
81 would not care to dispose of it,
but, if should sell it, the lowest sum
that could tempt me would be one hun.
dred and fifty dollars. and then per
haps | might keep it.
do you often have commissions fol
work of this kind?"
mo; but occasionally we find peo
pie who do not mind giving from fift,
to one hundred and fifty dollars for i
piece of this kind. They are usual,
husbands or wives, who order thei
own busts for birthday presents. Some
times we have commission for
child's head; that the father will treas
ure ever afterwards. When people car
afford it, this is no waste of money, a
cameo with ordinary care, is indie
structible and will be in existence whel
portraits or even painting will hav
vanished. Look at the number o
carved and engraved gems in tn,
museums and collections, which dat
from the most remote ages.
Here are some others. Look then
over and see if you recognize TIL
faces"
Among the specimens shown wer
portraits of Washington. Garfield
John Mccullough, sherman and 9th
ers. They were all splendid portrait
and of the usual seal-ring size.
Now, / will show YOU the fines
piece of work l have ever executed,
said the artist. He took from a SINAI
case an octagon-shaped piece of pur
black onyx, about two inches in diam
e:er. polished on about two-thirds c
.ihe surface, the remainder left dull an
OF sealing-wax appearance. In thi
central part were three overiyin
heads in relief--those of Washington
Lincoln and Grant The carving wa
magnificent and surprising when th