At the House of Dilys, we cherish the art of craftsmanship, dedicated to transforming our clients’ visions into reality. There’s a special joy in crafting unique commissions that result in one-of-a-kind treasures. Today, we’re excited to share a bespoke project for a young client who gathered a beautiful set of cameos during her travels to Naples, Italy—the celebrated heart of handcrafted cameos.
A Brief History of Cameos
Cameos carry a fascinating history that stretches back to ancient civilizations, originating with the Greeks and Romans. Traditionally carved from materials like shells, these pieces feature intricate relief sculptures—images that rise from a flat background, creating a three-dimensional effect. Often depicting mythological figures, portraits, or everyday scenes, cameos have captivated collectors for centuries.
During the Renaissance, the art of cameo carving experienced a revival, particularly in Italy, where artisans in regions like Torre del Greco honed their skills to perfection. They transformed cameos into cherished decorative and personal items, frequently incorporated into jewelry. Today, these pieces not only reflect timeless beauty but also showcase a blend of craftsmanship and creativity that has endured through the ages.
The Design Process
With the portraits varying slightly in size and shape, we aimed to position them so they would face each other while maintaining a balanced length. Our client expressed a desire to use unique diamonds, such as salt and pepper diamonds, prompting us to delve into our material bank. There, we discovered a lovely pair of smoky diamonds that complemented our salt and pepper diamonds beautifully. The soft greyish tones of these diamonds added a subtle sparkle, framing the traditional cameos for a fresh, contemporary look.
To enhance the cameos’ three-dimensional features, we designed a frame with a gentle wave that complements their shape beautifully. As the cameos are white on a greyish background, we took care in handling them to preserve their pristine surfaces, ensuring every detail was attended to throughout the design process.
Explore the World of Bespoke
Bespoke creations carry personal stories, visions and aspirations – emblems of you in different stages of life. We invite you to envision your own unique creations. If you have an idea for a bespoke piece, reach out to us and we’d be delighted to co-create with you.
