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| Head of a Child 1820-1850 The Victoria & Albert Museum |
The practice of engraving gemstones has been ongoing since the earliest days of the Roman empire. Though the art has seen periods where it is more in fashion than others, it has remained one of the most popular jewelry-making techniques in history.
Made between 1820 and 1850, this cameo is the work of Benedetto Pistrucci, (1784-1855). Born in Italy, Pistrucci moved to England as an adult. There, he became Chief Medallist at the Royal Mint and was responsible for designing and crafting the coronation medals for George IV and Queen Victoria.
The example we see pictured above shows the fineness and delicacy of Pistrucci’swork. The carving shows the infant daughter of his friend Dr. Archibald Billing—a physician and a gem collector. Pistrucci carved the girl’s image based on a wax model which Billing made himself.
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