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Cameo Cutting

Chapter 12: The Tools.
By John B. Marsh
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About This Book

This practical handbook explains the history and recent rise of shell cameo work, surveys suitable shell varieties and their colour layers, and gives step-by-step instruction for preparing, drawing, and cutting designs. It describes essential tools, the use of a holdfast, polishing and sharpening techniques, mounting methods, and cost considerations for materials and appliances. The text also addresses practice tips, lesson formats including correspondence guidance, market prospects, suggested designs, and illustrated examples to assist amateurs and more experienced artists in producing finished cameo pieces.

The Tools.

There are at present none specially made for the use of the Cameo engraver in England, but all that are required may be selected from those kept in stock for the use of engravers.

Mr. G. Buck, 242 Tottenham Court Road, London, W., keeps the tools most suitable for Cameo-work separate, and can supply them on request. They are of two kinds, round and flat Scawpers and Spit-stickers, and cost, handled, 3d. each. To these may be added a Fine File, and the stock is complete, exhibiting in this respect a striking contrast to the price of tools necessary for practising many other useful arts. The Round Scawpers are used for first cutting the figure and developing the several parts, the Flat Scawpers for smoothing the work, and the Spit-sticker for putting in the finishing touches.

The following diagrams show the exact size of the several tools:—

Figs. a to h, Tools for Cameo-work.

The following diagrams show the Flat and Round Scawper, handled, and sections of each (Figs. 4 and 4a, 5 and 5a).

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4a.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 5a.

Handled Tools and Sections of them.