Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-07-01
PORTRAITS In STONE.
Tho Delicate Work of Cameo and
Intaelio Cutting.
Description OF an Unique Art-Thc IapI-
dary's Secrets misunderstanding
bet Costly GIFTS for the Adorn-
mont of Loved Ones.

Some time ago In one of the promi
ncnt jewelry stores on State street &
newspaper representative was handed
ring for inspection, which was quit,
curiosity in its way. 1t was Of tn,
ordinary size and had been ordered
for presentation to one of the promi-
nent men of Chicago. The stone "a
fine black and whito cameO). in place
OF the usual antique engraved figure,
born a beautifully executed bust por-
trait Of the gentleman il was to be
presented TO. In answer to an inquiry
the jewelc- saiS- 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 di-
mensions, run by steam-power There
were several men at work. including
the proprietor-a young man of foreign
birth, between twenty-five and thirty
yeRTs-Qf age. The reporter gave the
Mmc of fis-sy , : iaiiicttii Tn propri-
Je,or willingly gave him all the inf0fSla-
4 ton he desired
''Our main business" he said, ''con-
sists in commissions from jewellers and
private individuals in Chicago and 9TH
or cities throughout the West. We ex-
ecute any design in cameo, intaglio,
incrusting. or combination work,
whether bust, portrait who.e 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 aud hand
Of the engraver.n
"Have you any specimen Of your
own work you could let me see?'
'Iere are some specimens have cut
during the last two years" he said,
taking case out Of the safe. ''they
were not made to order but were in
tended for exhibition and my own col
lection. This is a two-layer white aud
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 bure q
beautifully designed and executed bust
picture of President Cleveland on the
workbench. The bust was about hall
an inch in length, aud the striking
manner In which the characteristics oi
the Presidents massive head were
brought out was astonishing. Had II
been life-size figure the portrait and
personality could not have been more
striking.
What is the value of that stonePn
II would not care TO dispose OF IL,
but. If should sell il, the lowest sum
that could tempt me would be one hun.
dred ana fifty dollars, and then per
haps might keep it,.
''Do you often have commissions fol
work of this kindP"
mo; but occasionally we find peo-
pie who do not mind giving from fifty
10 one hundred and fifty dollars for 4
piece of this kind. They are usually
husbands or wives, who order their
own busts for birthday presents Some
times we have commission for a
child's head; that the father will treas
ure ever afterwards. When people can
afford II. this is no waste of money, as
cameo with ordinary care, Is indie
structiblc and will be in existence when
portraits or even painting will have
vanished. Look at the number OF
carved and engraved gems in the
museums and collections, which date
from the most remote ayes
Here are some others Look them
over and see If you recognize the
faces"
Among the specimens shown were
portraits Of Washington, Garfield,
John Mccullough, sherman and 9TH
ers. They were all splendid portraits
and Of the usual seal-ring size.
''Now, l will show you the finest
piece Of work i have ever executed, "
said the artist He took from small
case an octagOn-shaped piece Of pure
black onyx. about two inches In diam
eter, polished on about two-thirds of
the surface, the remainder left dull and
OF sealing-waX appearance. In this
central part were three Oycrlying
heads in relief--those of Washington,
Lincoln and Grant. The carving was
magnificent and surprising when the
hardness OF the onyx Is remembered.
u looked Ike an Impression in wax,
aud In that material. even. the delicacy
OF the lines could not have been ex-
cclled. The rugged features of the
''Groat Commander" were especially
lifelike and striking.
'What Is your valuation OF that me-
dallionP' was asked.
II was az work on that piece for
nearly four months, not continually.
Of course, and II anybody wished 10
purchase it / could not let Il go for
less than 500.
"Will you give me a description Of
your working methods. and some gon-
eral information OF the materials you
practice uponP
''Onr main commissions are designs
on ONYX, though we occasionally work
az jasper. oornelian. Jade, lapls-lazull. |
and other hard ornamental stones. Of
COURSE excluding al precious Cor re-
IfNctlng) gems. "onyx-called mask |
~ khe rough ~is found mainly ~ Bra
~ IA rioccs Weiehlag ffon q hw
pounds 70 several lons Here are some
.HNl|mens. Observe hoN.ii L mark N ~