intaglio
/ɪnˈtalɪəʊ
/ /ɪnˈtɑːlɪəʊ/noun (plural intaglios)
1A design incised or engraved into a material: the dies bore a design in intaglio [as modifier]: an intaglio design...
- The term intaglio is used when the design is incised and sunk beneath the surface of the block and is moulded in reverse, which strictly speaking is not really a relief but the reverse of relief, and is often used for gemstone carvings.
- The majority of the Roman finds were of finger-rings, many with carved intaglios or other engravings, used for stamping seals.
- Engraving, or incising, to use Wood's term, refers to cutting into the plaque to form the design so that the face of the plaque is flat, the design inset as an intaglio.
1.1A gem with an incised design: a carnelian intaglio showing a fish...
- Perhaps the most interesting piece illustrated is a brooch with a moonstone intaglio of Aurora within a diamond morning glory.
- There is also always the challenge before a man of sensibility as to how many rings set with antique intaglios he can get onto his hands and still be able to move his fingers.
- Several categories of artwork are featured, including cameos and intaglios, carvings of natural-history subjects, boxes and bottles, and jewelry (wearable art).
1.2 [mass noun] A printing process in which the type or design is etched or engraved, such as photogravure: [as modifier]: the craft of intaglio printmaking...
- The currency was printed in North Korea, which had acquired a sophisticated intaglio printing press similar to that used by the US Treasury.
- The exhibition is organized by medium, beginning with the artist's exploration of various forms of intaglio printing.
- After experimenting with different printmaking techniques like etching and aquatint she finally discovered drypoint combined with aquatint as her favorite intaglio process.
verb (intaglioes, intaglioing, intaglioed) [with object] (usually as adjective intaglioed)
Engrave or represent by an engraving: a carved box with little intaglioed pineapples on it...
- The rock appeared very old and worn, especially the cliff face, which looked as though it had been eroded by water over many millennia, leaving its scrub-grown surface scored and intaglioed with rounded vertical gullies.
Origin
Mid 17th century: Italian, from intagliare 'engrave'.