cameo bindings
A style of Italian binding of the first half of
the 16th century, which was imitated by French
binders and also by ROGER PAYNE at a
later date. The style consisted of designs in
relief made from dies cut intaglio, somewhat in
imitation of gems or metals. Leather was the
medium most often used, although vellum was also
used, being pressed while wet on the die, and with
the cavities being filled with a composition of
lacquered paste to preserve the shape of the
figures. After being attached to the center of the
leather cover, they were sometimes gilt and
painted. Cameo bindings were a development of the
antiquarian interest in classical coins and gems,
actual examples of which at first provided the
sources of the molds. French examples executed for
Henri 11 and Jean Grolier bore a central medallion
stamped with an intaglio cut die. The design was
embossed on a gilded and colored background. See
also: CANEVARI
BINDINGS . (110
, 141 , 279 , 347 )
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