Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-07-15
PORTRAITS In STONE.
The Delicate Work Of Cameo and
Intaglio Cutting.
Description of an Unique Art-The Lapi-
dary's Secrets misunderstanding
y but Costly Gifts for the Adorn-
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
a 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 a machine shop, and was
crowded with revolving wheels and
shafting of diverse materials and di-
mansions, run by steam-pOwer. There
were several men at work, including
the proprietor young man of foreign
birth, between twenty-five and thirty
years of age. The reporter gave tie
name of his informant, and the propri-
etor willingly gave him all the informa-
ton he 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,
incrusting. 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 see?''
''Here are some specimens Ihave 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 4 two-layer white and
black cameo of the usual description.
was at work three weeks cutting
the head on it. Do you know what it
is?''
He placed the stone. which bore
beautifully designed and executed bust
picture of President Cleveland on the
workbench. The bust was about half
an inch in length, and the striking
manner in which the characteristics of
the Presidents massive head were
brought out was astonishing. Had it
been a life-size figure the portrait and
personality could not have been more
striking.
what is the value of that stone?''
'.Iwould 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 l might keep it,
'.Do you often have commissions for
work of this kind?'
NO; but occasionally we find peo-
PIC w uO uO uOt luliIa giving lTOIu ultN
to one hundred and fifty dollars for
piece of this kind. They are usually
husbands or wives, who order their
own busts for birthday presents. Some
times we have a commission for a
child's head; that the father will treas
ure ever afterwards. When people can
afford it. this is no waste of money, as
q cameo with ordinary care, is indie
structible 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 ages.
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 tho finest
piece of work have ever executed
said the artist. He took from q 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
q sealing-wax appearance. In this