Intaglio glass is glass with a design cut, engraved or moulded below its surface, so that the picture sits inside the glass and not on top of it. The idea goes back to the Romans, who made glass gems to imitate carved stones, and it is the basis of the carved glass jewellery RingDesire makes.
Two meanings of the word
In glassmaking, intaglio can describe any design that is cut, engraved or moulded below the surface of glass. In jewellery it usually means something smaller: a carved glass or stone, set into an earring, ring or pendant, with the design cut down into the surface. This guide is about the second meaning. For the basic idea, read What Is an Intaglio?.
Roman glass gems
In the ancient world the most prized carved gems were cut in hard stones such as carnelian and agate. They were small, they took skilled work, and they were expensive. Roman craftsmen found another way. Coloured glass could be made to look like those stones, and it could be made in quantity.
By the time of the emperor Augustus, glass imitations of carved gems were being made alongside the stone originals, and they continued for centuries. Glass gems were a popular alternative in Roman jewellery. They let more people wear a carved picture.
The 18th century glass paste craze
The next great moment came in the 18th century. Travellers on the Grand Tour wanted carved gems from Italy, but the supply of ancient stones was small. The Scottish modeller James Tassie, who lived from 1735 to 1799, took impressions from ancient and later gems and made hard casts from them in glass paste. His catalogue of casts ran to many thousands of pieces. Scholars, artists and collectors bought them, and some were set into rings and seals.
That story is told in full in Grand Tour Jewellery and the 18th Century Craze for Glass Intaglios.
Why glass suits an intaglio
- Colour. Glass can be made in a wide range of colours, from deep blue and green to pink, purple, red and clear.
- Light. Light passes through the glass and picks out the carved lines. Hold a stone up and the picture seems to float inside it.
- Tradition. Carved glass is an old way to wear an engraved picture, with a history that goes back to Roman times.
Intaglio glass in the collection
RingDesire's intaglios are carved glass unless a product page says otherwise, and each listing names its materials. Every piece is newly made by hand to order. A few to look at:
- Blue glass intaglio dangle earrings with bridal pearl drops in the intaglio earrings collection.
- A blue glass intaglio ring in a Victorian signet style in the intaglio rings collection.
- An intaglio glass pendant necklace in a Victorian style with pearl in the intaglio necklaces collection.
- Clear oval intaglio earrings in a Grand Tour Roman style, where clear glass shows the carving most sharply.
Words you will meet
- Intaglio. A design cut down below the surface.
- Cameo. The opposite: a design that stands up from the surface.
- Hardstone. A general term for hard gem materials such as carnelian and agate, the stones the ancient engravers worked.
- Glass paste. Glass moulded or cast from an impression, the material of the Tassie casts.
- Bezel. The rim that holds a stone in its setting.
- Style names. Words such as Victorian or Roman, used in our titles. They describe a look and not a date.
Returns and shipping for RingDesire pieces are on the jewellery policies page.
What to expect from handmade glass
Each piece is made by hand, so small differences in the carving, the colour and the setting from one piece to the next are normal. A stone may look lighter in daylight and deeper indoors. These are part of what handmade means.
Looking after glass
Glass can scratch or chip if it is knocked, so store each piece in its box or a soft pouch, away from other jewellery. Wipe it with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. The jewellery care guide has the full list.
How the carving is done
The carving of an intaglio is a skill of its own. The tools are small rotating cutters and an abrasive, and the design is cut as a mirror image. Intaglio Carving: How a Design Is Cut Into Glass and Stone explains the steps.
Each piece is sent in a gift box. It is dispatched within 2 to 5 business days and arrives 15 to 20 days after you place it, dispatch included.
Frequently asked questions
What is intaglio glass?
Glass with a design cut, engraved or moulded below its surface, so that the picture sits inside the glass. In jewellery it usually means a small carved glass stone set into an earring, ring or pendant.
Did the Romans make glass intaglios?
Yes. By the time of the emperor Augustus, Roman workshops were making glass gems in imitation of carved stones, and the practice continued for centuries.
Who was James Tassie?
A Scottish modeller of the 18th century who made glass paste casts from ancient and later gems. His casts were bought by collectors, scholars and artists.
Is glass intaglio jewellery new or antique?
It depends on the piece. RingDesire's pieces are newly made by hand to order, and a style name such as Victorian describes the look and not the date.
How do I look after a glass intaglio?
Keep it dry, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and store it in its box. Take it off before you wash, swim or exercise.