The Work Behind a Cameos

The gathering, the preparation, the storage of the shells, requires knowledge of some fundamental norms.

1ST PHASE:
"SCOPPATURA"

The shell is cut on it's most round end.

3RD PHASE:
"SAGOMATURA"

Every outlined piece is cut with a hacksaw.

5TH PHASE:
"SPIANATURA"

The piece gaine from the previous phases gets fixed to a wooden stand and the surface gets smoothed until the white deep part of the shell comes out, the artist starts drawing a sketch of his art upon it.

2ND PHASE:
"SEGNATURA"

On the inside part, the arstist makes a sign with a pencil right were he will create the first part of his drawing.

4TH PHASE:
"AGGARBATURA"

The borders of the cut pieces get rounded.

6TH PHASE:
"INCISIONE"

With the right work tools called "bulini" (very thin iron spikes), the artist engraves.