Cameo Appearances (Metropolitan Museum of Art) (Paperback)

~ James David Draper (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The engraving of hardstones is a time-honored practice that goes back several millennia. The Greeks refined the art, and they introduced in about the fifth century b.c. what we now call cameos: precious and semiprecious stones carved in projected relief. As fanciful curiosities and as miraculous unions of art and nature, cameos have been prized and collected since ancient times. This book presents a selection of more than one hundred magnificently carved gems from the unparalleled collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The text traces the origins of cameos in classical antiquity, their rare occurrences in the Middle Ages, their efflorescence from the 16th to the 19th century, and their spread to the New World. 

About the Author

James David Draper is Henry R. Kravis Curator of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Product Details

• Paperback: 56 pages
• Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art (June 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300141459
• ISBN-13: 978-0300141450
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,909,060 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars great pictures, February 1, 2009

By	momofthree "momofthree" (USA) - See all my reviews

This book has great colored pictures and brief details about the cameos. My favorite picture was the cameo ring worn by Queen Elizabeth 1 ( King Henry and Anne Boelyn's daughter). This book would be wonderful for you if you want mostly beautiful pictures of vintage cameo jewelry and unmounted cameos. The pictures in this book can help you or your jeweler design replica vintage cameo jewelry as well.