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CHAPTER V.
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THE ENGRAVING AND CARVING OF PRECIOUS STONES.
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HE
engraving of Precious and Semi-Precious Stones is an art of unknown
antiquity. We know, however, that as early as the year 1490 B.C., the
stones in the breast plate of the Jewish High-Priest were engraved with
the names of the twelve tribes "like the engravings of a signet."
(Exodus xxxix., 14). According to my reading the stones were as follow :
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The design in an engraved stone is either sunk into the material below its surface, when the engraving is designated an Intaglio, or it is in relief, being raised above the ground or surface, a process to which the term Cameo is
applied. Nearly all kinds of stones and gems have been treated by one
or other of these methods, although for obvious reasons, brittle gems
are not ordinarily selected as materials upon which the art of the
engraver can be satisfactorily exercised. As a rule, the master-works
in this
department of art are on beautiful translucent stones. An
D
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