Japanese version
Artist biography
Alfonso Imperatrice
Alfonso Imperatrice was born in the late 40s in Torre del Greco. His introduction to cameo carving started in the year 1970. Up until then he remained confused at the myriad of very famous carvings and the time it takes to make them.
In 1970 he began his work and was a graduate of the Torre del Greco school of art. Today, together with his three sons, he continues to work in the area of antique cameo carving where he is always searching for that delicacy of the expression and the sweetness in the movements that make these cameos a refined ornament of true class.
To this day he marvels at the cameo born from a piece of shell and the delicacy, refinement and sweet smile of the woman that immersed from inside his hidden thoughts.
Ciro Sorrentino
Ciro Sorrentino was born during the 60s in Torre del Greco. After junior high school, he entered the Torre del Greco school of art in the department of coral cutting and cameo design.
He followed in the footsteps of his uncle Pietro who helped him in perfecting the finishing touches and in profiling. He succeeded through the years and made a name for himself in the upper circles of the carving world. Today his cameos have reached a level of perfection for which his products are now highly requested.
Today he is one of the most famous Italian artists.
Nicola D’Acunto
Nicola D’acunto is without a shadow of a doubt a promising young artist in the world of cameo carving. Young and recently married, he remains full of enthusiasm for the art of cameo carving which is evident in the care and refinement that emanates from within his creations.
Gennaro Marrazzo
Gennaro Marrazzo was born in Torre del Greco in 1956. When he was a young boy he started working with Ciccio Marrazzo, his elderly uncle from Torre Del Greco famous for his work with cameos of small dimensions during the years 1910-1920. In that short period, Ciccio Marrazzo became the absolute master in this type of carving.
Ciccio Marrazzo included his son Giovanni in the business who was always alongside his cousin Gennaro, so much so that he married Giovanni’s sister who is also the daughter of Ciccio Marrazzo and Gennero’s cousin. Together, Giovanni and Gennaro continued in the work of carving cameo profiles, even after the death of Ciccio Marrazzo.
Today, Gennaro is dedicated to his work and his days are full. Once a week he enjoys some free time relaxing on the beach of Torre del Greco, just 100 meters from his home.
Prof. Vincenzo Nocereto
A professor of Art History, Nocereto has been always in love with the art of cameo carving and continues to make time each day dedicated only to the carvings of small cameos with unique properties. His cameos are recognized by the infinite precision of the profiles and the detail of the hair making them impossible to imitate.
Aniello Pernice
Aniello Pernice belongs to a third generation of master carvers. He has continued his work with great passion, respect for tradition and pursuit of an original and creative style.
He is one of the most appreciated and well-known carvers in the world, especially in Japan where he has obtained great success with his masterpieces for the last 25 years. With devotion and professionalism, he has established a strong collaboration with his apprentice carvers and other master carvers, to raise the craft to a high artistic level.
