From reproducing cameo-relief
cufflinks in a garage, the original Incolay Studios, Inc. grew to be a
leader in the creation of bas-relief giftware in the United States.
They handcrafted jewelry, decorative cases, belt buckles, wall decor
and limited edition collector plates which were sold throughout the
United States, Canada, Australia, England, Germany, Japan, Singapore
and Sweden.
An avid collector of bas-relief antiques, E.M. Bright, along with his
wife Sharane Gordon Bright, the original owners, were fascinated with
the carved miniature portraits and scenes on multi-colored stones from
ancient Greece. The carvings were so fine, a magnifying glass was
needed to see all of the details. The time and skill required for this
type of intricate artwork rendered it a lost art form.
They envisioned re-creating the look of antique cameos using unique
material and process capabilities. They experimented with various
minerals, semi-precious stones and bonding agents. Eventually the
Incolay Cameo Stone was created; a complex combination of minerals
which was stratified to re-create the same variegated formations and
beauty found in natural stone. They designed a process by which the
Incolay Stone could be formed in mezzo or bas-relief, re-creating every
detail without harming the original antique.
Incolay Cameo Stone was available in a variety of mineral colors
including sardonyx, cobalt, rose quartz, banded agate, and many more.
To ensure the highest quality, trained artisans handcrafted the Incolay
Cameo Stone process.
The first customer to exhibit enthusiasm for Incolay Cameo Stone was a
buyer for Bullocks and Bullocks/Wilshire Department Stores who
purchased a selection of men's cufflinks.
Over the years Incolay Studios grew and prospered. To stay current with
the consumers' ever-changing desire for new designs, top level
sculptors were commissioned to create original artwork to be produced
in Incolay Cameo Stone.
When the company moved to the facilities in San Fernando, California,
Vince Gleason joined the company as vice president of operations.
In 1971 Incolay Studios introduced what was to become the main product
line of the company - decorator cases for both men and women. They
continued handcrafting a wide range of jewelry cases and other
products. The most popular and enduring design for seventeen years was
the "Birds of Paradise" followed by "Cherubs at Play".
Eventually the company entered the world of "limited edition"
collectibles. For many years Incolay Studios produced a number of
limited edition plate series which were marketed exclusively by "The
Bradford Exchange".
The tremendous response of collectors to the beauty of antiquity
re-created in Incolay Cameo Stone then inspired limited edition musical
cases. The most famous of these being "Le Magnifique" boasting a three
tune, seventy-two note Swiss Rouge movement that was strictly limited
to twenty-five hundred cases worldwide.
The twenty-fifth anniversary was commemorated with a decorator case,
"Cherubic Princess", a delicate jewel case available in Rose Quartz and
Sapphire Blue Incolay Cameo Stone. This piece was also a limited
edition.
Incolay Studios was located at 445 North Fox Street, San Fernando,
California, 91340.
INCOLAY is currently owned
by Schaedler-Schmidt, Inc., is located at 12927 South Budlong Avenue,
in Gardena Ca 90247.
All of our products continue to be "proudly made in the
United States of America". We have been so very fortunate in our
ability to re-hire the artisans that have created this superior product
for decades. Their dedication is remarkable and heart-warming in
today's high tech society.
INCOLAY products are known throughout the world for their quality and
superior workmanship. Our goal and mission is to continue that
reputation. To be in contact with our customers, listening to their
requests and suggestions. To continue to search for antique artwork
worthy of reproduction, and to work with today's artists to stay
current with the ever-changing preferences of our customers and their
clients. And lastly, to have these priceless works of art treasured and
passed from one generation to the next.
The antique reproductions, as well as the reproduced carvings
rendered by contemporary artists, are beautifully handcrafted; thus no
two pieces are exactly the same.
We are proud of our reproductions of antiquity and respect the talent
of yesterday. We have also been blessed with the talent of today's
artists whose work is unparalleled in their fields.
