Cameos, hand-carvings on Seashells, have been considered from time to time romantic souvenirs, small treasures, valuable ornaments and original artistic expressions.
Coming down from a long line of Cameo Makers of Torre del Greco, a charming village by the footsteps of Mount Vesuvius, I am probably one of the most passionate and knowledgeable persons to tell the story of the longest living tradition in fine jewelry making.
If "Art" can be defined as true and most sincere expression of any human being, "Ars gratia artis" for the Romans, then we can surely include this all-Italian craftsmanship among the most recognized "Fine Arts" of our past few centuries.
My entire Family has been making cameos since the 1850s, devoting time, passion and its children to this incredible Art. In fact, I have very few memories of my Grandfather Giovanni, but I do remember him sitting by a gigantic pile of conchs, alone in a dark large room, selecting the best shell to be the best "Cammeo". Nonno Giovanni (in italian "Nonno" means "Grandpa"..) was a very quite yet articulate gentleman, peaceful, always cautious, and raised by the Jesuits with a very strict classical education.
A few years later, I would come back from school on my Vespa with my older brother Giogio', to find my father and mother, Michele and Marisa, arguing at the kitchen table over a Cameo: Mom designing a romantic silhouette in a very cute Liberty style, and my father standing behind, as some sort of art-director, saying out loud "Bellissimo!".
From that moment on, my memories are very clear as I already knew that my life would have been just a continuation of what five generations of my family had been doing so far.
Torre del Greco's Master Carvers in the last 150 years learnt their ancient techniques, handed down from generation to generation, in their own family workshops; humble and dusty rooms, filled with the sun light of Naples and the loving passion and dedicated intention to keep their fathers' tradition alive.
From the Spanish Kingdom of Naples, to the unified Kingdom of Italy of 1865 and the 1947s Republic; through three civil and two world wars; during the ailing economy of the 1920s, to the bubbly one of the '80s; the humble people of this small town, embraced by an active volcano and the Bay of Napoli, kept their love and devotion alive, often striving through tough times, but never giving up, never selling out.
Today, in 2007, Torre del Greco is still the only place in the entire world where seashells, corals and other semiprecious stones, are carefully carved into spectacular masterpieces and fashionable accessories.
One Hundred Fifty years later, my Family is still there, in the same place, creating beauty and celebrating the Majesty of Cameos.
M+M SCOGNAMIGLIO Fine Italian Cameos
since 1857
Cameos, hand-carvings on Seashells, have been considered from time to time romantic souvenirs, small treasures, valuable ornaments and original artistic expressions.
Coming down from a long line of Cameo Makers of Torre del Greco, a charming village by the footsteps of Mount Vesuvius, I am probably one of the most passionate and knowledgeable persons to tell the story of the longest living tradition in fine jewelry making.
If "Art" can be defined as true and most sincere expression of any human being, "Ars gratia artis" for the Romans, then we can surely include this all-Italian craftsmanship among the most recognized "Fine Arts" of our past few centuries.
My entire Family has been making cameos since the 1850s, devoting time, passion and its children to this incredible Art. In fact, I have very few memories of my Grandfather Giovanni, but I do remember him sitting by a gigantic pile of conchs, alone in a dark large room, selecting the best shell to be the best "Cammeo". Nonno Giovanni (in italian "Nonno" means "Grandpa"..) was a very quite yet articulate gentleman, peaceful, always cautious, and raised by the Jesuits with a very strict classical education.
A few years later, I would come back from school on my Vespa with my older brother Giogio', to find my father and mother, Michele and Marisa, arguing at the kitchen table over a Cameo: Mom designing a romantic silhouette in a very cute Liberty style, and my father standing behind, as some sort of art-director, saying out loud "Bellissimo!".
From that moment on, my memories are very clear as I already knew that my life would have been just a continuation of what five generations of my family had been doing so far.
Torre del Greco's Master Carvers in the last 150 years learnt their ancient techniques, handed down from generation to generation, in their own family workshops; humble and dusty rooms, filled with the sun light of Naples and the loving passion and dedicated intention to keep their fathers' tradition alive.
From the Spanish Kingdom of Naples, to the unified Kingdom of Italy of 1865 and the 1947s Republic; through three civil and two world wars; during the ailing economy of the 1920s, to the bubbly one of the '80s; the humble people of this small town, embraced by an active volcano and the Bay of Napoli, kept their love and devotion alive, often striving through tough times, but never giving up, never selling out.
Today, in 2007, Torre del Greco is still the only place in the entire world where seashells, corals and other semiprecious stones, are carefully carved into spectacular masterpieces and fashionable accessories.
One Hundred Fifty years later, my Family is still there, in the same place, creating beauty and celebrating the Majesty of Cameos.
