TINY TREASURES

One-of-a-kind souvenirs from the Grand Tour, intaglios give fascinating insights into the ancient world

- EMMA LONGSTAFF

The Grand Tour was an important rite of passage for wealthy young men, a final flourish in their education and an extended jolly. At its peak in the 18th century, the Tour remained fashionable until the early 1800s. Travellers spent months or even years exploring the great cities of Europe and the wonders of the ancient world. After gazing at the ruins of ancient Rome, and trekking to the excavations at Herculaneum and Pompeii, some aristocrats with near-bottomless pockets embarked on the shopping binge of a lifetime. They carted marble busts of Roman emperors and bronze gods and goddesses back to their newly built mansions. These impressive mementos signalled their owners' wealth, worldliness and their intellectual refinement.

Amongst the haul might be engraved hardstones known as intaglios, used in the ancient world as wax seals. (Intaglio means 'engraved' in Italian.) Although far tinier than the statement busts and bronzes, they were prized by souvenir seekers for their individuality and artistry. Intaglios were made from materials such as jasper, carnelian and lapis lazuli, and less commonly precious gems like amethyst and garnet. Unlike a cameo, with a design protruding from the background, in an intaglio the image was carved down into the surface of the stone. This meant it could be pressed into a small puddle of hot wax to create an impression, and used to authenticate letters or documents.

Across the Greek and Roman Empires high-status individuals possessed an intaglio, usually set into a ring. They chose an image that was meaningful to them or that they hoped would bring good fortune: deities, heroes, myths or motifs such as birds, insects and flowers. Wearing a finely carved intaglio was a symbol of wealth and importance, but also had a very practical purpose - intricate intaglios were expensive and difficult to make, and therefore difficult to forge. This made their seal unique.