• n. the art or scientific study of gem engraving

About Glyptographia:

Centuries ago, prehistoric artists used to carve tools out of diamond. Using these tools they chiseled precious stones.

It is well defined that precious stones derive from the heart of nature and moreover are a sparkle of beauty coming from its soul. Those magnificent stones, were ancient Greek glyptographer’s raw material.

A tool made of diamond is an expression of supreme perfection and spirituality. It is actually micro glyptography on a precious stone with a precious stone. Carvings, relieves and tiny sculptures on organic materials (bones, fish bones, turtle shells, e.t.c.) and minerals (amber, e.t.c.) are the applications of glyptography.

Ancient Greek glyptographer’s worked up an abundance of themes. Scenes from sacred ceremonies and hunting, deities, animals, primeval, god symbols, also representations of nature, of everyday life and culture of those ancient people, were depicted forever upon those precious stones. Indeed forever, because the endurance and hardness of those stones been carved was 7 – 9,5 on the MOH scale of hardness. Steel is measured 6,5 in this scale, therefore a glyptography does not wear out.

Nowadays, we can admire glyptography that had been made centuries ago. Those tiny incorruptible works of art, traveled through time, remained complete until today and finally found their place in a museum.

Yet, after the end of antiquity, how did this art evolve?

Actually, there was no evolution at all, at least not until the 18t century. At that period of time in Europe, great masters/ craftsmen/ creators, like Pocock at the beginning an Cecil Tomas later on, left a heritage of supreme work and long – lived schools. Their favorite subjects were portraits, animals, birds, blazons, symbols and mythological scenes.

The Anglo-Greek Master Nick Kielty Lambrinides, is considered to be the most important glyptographer still alive. He continued Cecil Tomas’ school and for the last 15 years he lives and works in Greece. He founded a school in Athens where Maria Apostolopoulou leading head of Cosmochaos Gem Artists Team – studied.

Maria Apostolopoulou who was also studying painting and stage design, besides from being the heart of Cosmochaos team, she also gives her aesthetic guidelines and artistic directions both in technical and stylistic matters. The rest of C.G.A.T members are glyptographers, a diamond cutter, and a glyptographer – gemologist. Their work is considered to evolve from the ancient art of glyptography to a contemporary form of expression, which found its most suitable application in jewelry creation.

The C.G.A.T is ceaselessly working on new lines and forms that express the contemporary spirit, the world and the chaos, and at the same time opening new horizons while laying new foundation for the on-going evolution of the art of glyptography.

A close look at their subjects; metaphysical scenes (lines), explosive scenes, (Hellos), Cosmo chaotic pictures, mythological landscapes and ancient symbols, will reveal that their main source of inspiration is the universe. All the jewelry are exclusively handmade and as set in metal by goldsmiths, they transform into magnificent pieces.

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glyp·togra·pher n.

glypto·graphic (-t-grfk), glypto·graphi·cal adj.