In the days before
photography, hand painted or carved cameos and intaglios were
a way to preserve the likenesses of loved ones, of kings and
queens, mythological images, and fictional characters. Carved
from gemstones, shell or ivory, cameos offered high relief and
are very detailed works of art. Intaglios worked in reverse,
as the carver carved into the gemstone for an indented image.
The use of vellum (playing cards), mother-of-pearl and ivory
allowed the Limner’s (miniature portrait artists) to paint
detailed miniature portraits with amazing results.
No matter what
the subject matter, these little works of art were used as tokens
of affection and regards. They were reminders of loyalty to the
crown, of love lost and found, and the intimacy of family (the
living and the dead). Men and women wore miniature portraits,
cameos and intaglios set into jewelry, so that the images could
be viewed easily.
 Portrait
Jeweled Cuff evokes the style of the early Renaissance and the
late 18th to early 19th century portrait style bracelets. A central
component is bezeled and surrounded with pearls to draw the eye
to the center of the cuff. For balance, two beautiful CZ trillions
are bezeled and embellished with beaded leaves, framing the central
portrait. All components are attached to a flat peyote stitch
base that completely covers a *brass form (see note below).
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
This is a 2-day
workshop.
*Brass forms: I am having
these forms custom made in the USA. I will have three different
widths, and more importantly, 3 different lengths. Having the
three lengths makes for a custom fit.
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